I'm back! Time for an international giveaway! (NOW CLOSED)

Hi all. For those of you who used to read my blog, you'll know that I've not been around for a while as my husband passed away three months ago. For a while, blogging and reading were the last things on my mind but now I need to start filling my days with routine and familiar things, so I'm back.

Things have been tough here the last few months, but I am starting to adjust to life without my husband. I still miss him every day, that's not going to change, but I'm beginning to take charge of my life again and carry on, for the sake of our boys and for my own sanity. And I'm looking forward to connecting with all my blogging friends again - I've missed you all a lot.

And so today is a time to celebrate! I'm back in the blogging world and it was actually my first blogiversary during my break. I'm not sure if I can celebrate a blogiversary if my blog wasn't active on that date but never mind. And this is all good news for you.

I'm holding a giveaway for you all and here are the rules:

• You can win a book of your choice from the Book Depository up to the value of £10.
• The contest is open internationally, to all the places that the Book Depository provides free shipping to (please check this link to make sure your country is on the list)
• Just leave a comment on this post with your email address to be entered.
• Only one entry per person.
• Contest closes on Sunday 23rd December at 23.59.
• Once a winner has been chosen, I will contact them by email to find out which book has been chosen for the prize.

Good luck everybody!

Blog Tour: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa: Spotlight and International Giveaway (Giveaway Now Closed!)

About the Book:
This is not your average vampire story, and these are not your average vampires. A rabid virus has killed off 6 billion humans, leaving a shell of a world, with the remains of the human population serving as blood cattle to the Vampire Prince and his followers. This is a world where vampires rule...

Allie Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them - the vampires who killed her mother and instil fear in the repressed population.

But after a disasterous food expedition, Allie is forced to make the decision she hoped she'd never have to face - die, or become one of them. Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most - a vampire. To survive, she must work with her vampire creator and learn the rules of the immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

When Allie is separated from her creator, she flees into the unknown, to the world beyond the wall of her vampire city. There she joins a ragged band of humans who don't know what she is. These humans seek a legend, a cure to the Red Lung virus that decimated the population and created the rabids, the mindless creatures responsible for spreading the infection. But does such a cure exist? And can Allie prevent her vampire urges from destroying her new found family?

About the Author:
Julie Kagawa is the New York Times number one bestselling author of The Iron Fey series. The Immortal Rules is the first book in Kagawa's dystopian adventure series Blood of Eden, which explores friendship, loyalty and the strength of the human spirit. Kagawa was born in Sacramento, California and now lives in Kentucky. She has worked as a professional dog trainer and lived in Hawaii. She now writes full-time.

About the Giveaway!:

I am offering up my review copy of The Immortal Rules for a giveaway! The contest is open internationally and all you have to do is leave a comment here with your email address.  

Entries close on 3rd May.

Paranormal Romance Month Giveaway Winners!

Ok, so here is the moment you have all been waiting for! The announcement of all the lucky winners of the giveaways hosted here at Once Upon A Series during my Paranormal Romance Month during February.

Lords of the Underworld Giveaway

Natalie C
Dani S

Demons of Infernum Giveaway

Regina

Michele Hauf Giveaway

Katie




The winners have been notified by email and have got 48 hours to get back to me before another winner is picked. If you can't see my email in your inbox, please check your spam folder just in case!

Congrats everybody :)

Dani Harper Contest Winner!

There was a great response to the Dani Harper giveaway but unfortunately only one person can win. And that lucky, lucky individual is...

Erica Nicholas

Congratulations Erica! I understand Dani has already emailed you about the prize so I hope you enjoy it once it arrives :) 

Win two signed books by Michele Hauf (Giveaway Now Closed!)

Author Michele Hauf has very kindly offered two books for a giveaway here at Once Upon a Series. And, as if that wasn't enough, she has offered to sign them and to hold the contest worldwide!

So the books up for grabs are the Of Angels and Demons series omnibus (yes people, that's three books in one!) and The Werewolf's Wife, which isn't even out until 20th March!

To be in with a chance to win, just leave a comment below (along with your email address) and a winner will be picked at random. The contest is open until 29th February!

Guest Post and Giveaway with Author Dani Harper! (GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED)

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming author Dani Harper who will be telling us all about her paranormal romce series. At the end of her guest post she will also be giving you the details of a fantastic giveaway that she is hosting here at Once Upon a Series. So don't be shy, give Dani a warm welcome and don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Changelings 101 - not your mother's werewolves

Hi, I’m Dani Harper and in my new paranormal series from Kensington-Brava, I’ve created a world in which wolfen shapeshifters live as humans among us, hiding in plain sight. Extremely long-lived and very strong, they call themselves Changelings and they regard their innate ability to become a wolf at will as a gift.

Each story revolves around a member of the Macleod family. Driven from Scotland two centuries ago when wolves were being exterminated there, these Changelings found sanctuary in the wilds of northern Canada. An entire community has since sprung up around them and the Macleods and their pack are part of the human community. But there’s just enough unspoiled forest left for them to joyfully run as wolves whenever they please. They seem to have the best of both worlds – but there are still dangers lurking for their kind. And love, when it arrives, brings dangers and complications of its own.

There are 2 immutable laws in the Changeling world:

1. Never harm a human

2. Never turn a human against their will

The wolf within, however, has its own set of primal rules. If a Changeling’s life is in danger, the wolf will emerge to defend it. The wolf will also rise, unbidden, to defend a mate at all costs. And Changelings mate for life.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE A CHANGELING

Changelings in their lupine form are attractive. Graceful and swift, they stand on all fours like natural wolves. Aha, you say, then how do you tell a Changeling from a real wolf? Easy. Changelings are much bigger. And while their fur color seldom corresponds to the color of their human hair, their eyes never change.

Stealthy as a ghost, a Changeling is intent on guarding his secret identity. Humans are unlikely to ever encounter him in his wolfen persona. Unless of course you’ve been foolish enough to endanger him, his pack or (worst of all) his mate. Yes, Changelings have rules they choose to live by, but that doesn’t mean they’re tame!

As for recognizing a Changeling when he’s on two legs? Not going to happen. They may run on four feet in their free time but they choose to live as humans. They have jobs, pay bills, drive cars … they could be your neighbor, your boss, your banker. The only thing that’s certain is that you will never, ever know. But don’t worry. Thanks to the rules, a Changeling will never harm humans unless he turns rogue. And that’s only happened once. So far….

THE CHANGELING BOOKS

There are 3 books in the series at present (and by the way, each has been written to stand alone). Changeling Moon focuses on Connor Macleod. Changeling Dream is about James Macleod, the oldest of the siblings. And my newest release, Changeling Dawn is about the youngest Macleod, Kenzie. Here’s the blurb:

Kenzie Macleod has spent her whole life hiding the fact that she's a werewolf. She's not about to open up to any man, even one as powerfully attractive as wildlife expert Josh Talarkoteen. But legend says that a Changeling cannot escape the call of her true mate, even in the wilderness of backcountry Alaska. An isolated archaeological site, a terrified Changeling cub, a shadowy research facility - as Kenzie and Josh face the ultimate betrayal, his obsidian eyes promise untold pleasure and hint at dark secrets of his own...

For more information, reviews and excerpts of each of my novels, check out my website!

WHERE TO FIND DANI HARPER

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter / Blog

DANI'S GIVEAWAY FOR READERS (GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED)
I love to talk books and I love to give away prizes! So name one or more of your favorite paranormal or urban fantasy series authors. (I love Patricia Briggs, Karen Chance, Jeaniene Frost and Keith Hearne myself!) A name will be drawn at random from the commenters on Feb. 21st . The winner will receive a signed copy of my new release, Changeling Dawn, and a “Dani Harper” tote bag to put it in. PS – the giveaway is International!

Demons of Infernum Giveaway!!! (NOW CLOSED)

Now, as you may have noticed, I am a bit of a fangirl when it comes to the Demons of Infernum series by Rosalie Lario. It is my favourite series ever and I'm very excited to announce that Rosalie has offered up an ebook as a giveaway prize here at Once Upon a Series.

As the prize is an ebook then the contest is open internationally and the winner can choose any book from the series as their prize. So to help you choose, here are the summaries for all four books:

1. Blood of the Demon (read my review)
Keegan lives to exact revenge on the evil demon who sired and abused him. When his father devises a plan to bring on the apocalypse, he and his three half-brothers, interdimensional bounty hunters for the Elden Council, are charged with capturing and delivering their father for punishment.

Art gallery owner Brynn Meyers has no idea that her ability to read memories embedded in objects and drain people of their life force means she has demon ancestry. Unfortunately for Brynn, she's also the key to raising an ancient zombie army, which puts her on every demon's Most Wanted List. And no one wants her more than Keegan's father. Keegan must protect Brynn from his father by any means necessary, but he'll have to learn to harness the other half of his genetics-the far deadlier, uncontrollable half-when he starts to fall for the one woman standing between him and the vengeance he so desperately seeks. The one woman he'll never be able to resist.

2. Mark of the Sylph (read my review)
Half-demon Taeg is desperate to free his pregnant sister-in-law, who is spellbound to an indestructible book that will create an army of the undead. He is convinced that an ancient sword can destroy the book and the spell forever, but this relic has been hidden for a millennia by a powerful glamour. The clock begins to run out on his search when an old rival goes after the book and Taeg’s family in his quest for revenge.

Librarian Maya Flores has a secret: she’s immune to magic and is well aware of the supernatural beings prowling the streets of New York City. Haunted by a brutal demon attack that took her family, she is on a one-woman mission to destroy the evil demons who did it—and any others who get in her way.

Maya is Taeg’s best hope for uncovering the sword. Unfortunately, she wants nothing more than to kill him. As he fights for her trust and to save his family, she is forced to face the truth that not all demons are evil. And the worst part? She might be falling in love with one, too.

3. Touch of the Angel (read my review)
After months of no work, interdimensional bounty hunter Ronin Meyers jumps at the chance to locate an incubus who’s using succubi as murder weapons. Faced with the possibility of being forced to return to hellish Infernum if he fails, Ronin and his brothers will stop at nothing to take out the incubus and anyone else involved—even the beautiful succubus who stole his heart, then nearly his life, during the most mind-blowing hour of his existence.

Night after night, Amara and her fellow succubi are forced to extract special abilities from the strongest Otherworlders for their psychotic master’s growing collection. When the gorgeous angel-demon hybrid she believed to be dead captures her, Amara is both stunned and elated. But the happily ever after she’s dreamed of will have to wait. Together, they must bring down the madman hellbent on destroying them…and become each other’s salvation in the process.

4. Heart of the Incubus (novella) (read my review)
Biochemist Cresso Taylor lives the sort of lifestyle most men would envy—he has wealth, natural incubus charm, and more women than he can handle. But it’s not enough anymore. Not after meeting Genevieve Russell, the sexy scientist who works with him at Elcorp Laboratory. And she wants absolutely nothing to do with him.

After her fiancé broke her heart, Genevieve has had enough of womanizers. She’s determined to steer clear of sexy-as-sin Dr. Taylor, despite the fact that his incubus allure makes her want to rip his clothes off. But when a secret admirer’s affection turns to the macabre with threatening notes and grisly gifts, Cresso appoints himself her protector. As she and Cresso hunt her stalker, she discovers there’s a lot more to the sensual incubus than she ever imagined.

So here's what you have to do for a chance to win this fantastic prize:

Just leave a comment below stating your email address and which book you would like if you win!

The contest is open INTERNATIONALLY until 29th February!

Good luck everybody :)

It's the start of Paranormal Romance Month! Let's celebrate with a huge giveaway!! (NOW CLOSED)

PLEASE NOTE: THIS GIVEAWAY IS FOR UK ONLY!

As February is the month of love, what with Valentine's Day and all, I have decided to dedicate the whole of the month to one of my favourite genres - Paranormal Romance!

I have got a whole host of reviews coming up this month from authors such as:
Gena Showalter
Nalini Singh
Christine Feehan
Michele Hauf
Rosalie Lario
Laura Wright
Lynsay Sands
Kresley Cole
Inara Scott
Phew, that was a long list!

But that is not all, dear readers! I have also got some great guest posts lined up and some amazing giveaways! And I'm so excited about the start of PNR Month today that I am going to kick things off with a MEGA giveaway!

However, due to the EPICNESS of the giveaway and the extortionate price of postage, I'm afraid that this contest is only open to readers in the UK. But don't worry international readers, there will be lots of other contests for you to enter over the coming weeks so keep your eyes peeled.

So, I can hear you all asking what this amazing prize is that I am talking about. I won't make you wait any longer. The very generous people from Mira Books UK have donated two (yes that's two!) entire sets of the Lords of the Underworld series! So that is nine books each for two very lucky readers!


Now for the terms and conditions:

• All you have to do is use the Rafflecopter form below to enter..
• As I have already stated, the giveaway is open to people in the UK only.
• The closing date for this giveaway is 29/02/2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So, good luck everybody! And don't forget to come back during the rest of the month for even more giveaways, reviews and guest posts.

September Giveaway Winner!!!

Well, here is the moment you've all been waiting for! The winner of Mercy and Exile by Rebecca Lim is...

Tee from A Diary of a Book Addict!

Congratulations Tee! I have sent you an email and you will have 7 days to claim you're prize.

Now for all of you who didn't win, during October I am holding a giveaway for The Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. The bad news is that, as I am paying for postage out of my own pocket, this contest is only open to UK RESIDENTS. If you do live in the UK though, you can enter by leaving a comment on this post here.

October Giveaway: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Well, it is the first day of October so it is time to announce a new monthly giveaway!

And my pick for this month is A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness:

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries - and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

In order to win this great prize, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post that includes your email address so that I can contact the winner. Only one entry per person. The giveaway is open to UK RESIDENTS ONLY and closes midnight (GMT) on 31st October.

Good Luck!!!

Welcome to my blog! Anybody want to win some books? (Contest Closed!!!)

Hi all, welcome to my new blog!

So, I guess you are wondering who I am and why I am starting a blog. Well, my name is Chrissie and I am a 29 year old british girl who loves to read, as well as spending time with my husband and my two young boys. I am now a full time mum but before I had my second child I was a librarian. I absolutely loved the job (who wouldn't love being surrounded by books all the time!) but I wanted to stay at home with my boys and enjoy them whilst they are still young.

As for why I started a blog the answer is simple: I have a terrible memory and I want a record of the books that I have read. Once Upon a Series is actually my second blog. I ran Chrissie's Corner for almost a year until my husband became very ill at the beginning of the year and I just didn't have time to continue with it. But during my time off I spent a lot of time thinking about the direction I wanted my blog to go in and came up with some great ideas for features etc and Once Upon a Series is the result.

One of these features is my list of series' from my favourite genres. Please take a look at these lists and hopefully you'll be able to find some new books to read. Also, feel free to tell me about any that I've missed (there's bound to be many!) and I'll add them to the list. The genres I have written lists for are:
Mystery
Paranormal Romance
Urban Fantasy
YA

Now that you've learnt a little bit about me here is the important question - Who would like to win some books???? In celebration of my new blog I am giving away a copy of the first two books in the Mercy series by Rebecca Lim to one lucky winner.

Mercy
Mercy wakes on a school bus bound for Paradise, a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business... or thinks they do. But Mercy has a secret life. She is an angel, doomed to return to earth, taking on a new human form each time she does, in an effort to resolve a cataclysmic rift between heavenly beings.
In Paradise, Mercy meets Ryan, an eighteen-year-old whose sister was kidnapped two years ago and is presumed dead. When another girl is also taken, Mercy knows she has to act quickly and use extraordinary powers to rescue her, even if it means exposing her true identity.
An electric combination of angels, mystery and romance, Mercy is the first book in a major new series.

Exile
An angel in exile, Mercy is doomed to return repeatedly to earth, taking on a new human form each time she does. Now she "wakes" as unhappy teen Lela, a girl caring for her dying mother but never herself.
As her shattered memory begins to return, Mercy remembers Ryan, the boy she fell in love with in another life, and Luc, the angel haunting her dreams. Will Mercy risk Lela's life to be reunited with her heart's true desire.
An electric combination of angels, mystery and romance, Exile is the second book in the spellbinding Mercy series.