Kitty + Carrie + Contest

Yesterday was the official Carrie Vaughn / Kitty Norville blog tour, and it was awesome to see so many terrific posts about this great series that I’ve enjoyed reading so much. If you didn’t get a chance, make sure to take a look at all the participants that got together to celebrate these books.

I decided to break the rules and continue on with another day’s posting about the series. 6 books is a lot to talk about in just one day! In my last post, I blabbered on about why I liked this series and provided the book jacket summaries for books 1 through 5. So today I am going to present my thoughts on book 6 – Kitty Raises Hell – write a bit about the author – Carrie Vaughn – and then give you all a chance to win some books – Sound good? Okay here goes…

Too Darn Hot.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas… except when it doesn’t. Kitty and Ben return to their werewolf pack in Denver only to discover an invisible evil that smells of brimstone and plays with fire has followed them home. Stalking the whole pack, it leaves a charred trail of ashes and death across the city.

Kitty seeks help from Rick, the master vampire of Denver, as well as from the paranormal investigators on a popular reality TV show. But when a mysterious vampire who claims to be a demon hunter – and the only one who can help them – suddenly arrives, Kitty and her allies won’t be able to predict what he really wants… or what they must do to extinguish the terror that can torch them all.

Kitty Raises Hell, is by far my favorite book of the series, so far! It starts off right from where Book 5 ended. Kitty returns to Denver, but she seems to return a stronger, more kick-ass Kitty. When her pack, family and friends are facing danger this time, it is apparent that all the crap that’s happened in the past has finally become enough for Kitty. She is clearly more confident and sure of herself this time. Which is cool, there’s been steady development in her character, but it’s here that we see the realization of just how powerful Kitty can become.

I don’t want to give away too much of what happens plot-wise, but there were a lot of things in this book that I really enjoyed. Action – again, I have to highlight the fact that the action sequences are terrifically played out. You never doubt that Kitty will pull through, but the scenes are still pretty intense. I also enjoy how more characters are introduced, as they have been steadily through the series. This series is very full of people, but the author is pulling them into the story in a way that is not overdone. All of the characters are given the right amount of focus to make them memorable and individual. Sometimes in a series with such a large cast, people seem to pop in and out and leave the reader wondering “hey who was that?” but it’s skillfully done here. The connections between the characters are  also great, in this book specifically, the way that Kitty feels about the ‘mysterious vampire’ is especially well done. It’s clear that Kitty is fighting internally about how this vamp can help them, and what is she willing to risk. Her feelings of being stuck between a rock and a hard place come through wonderfully. And I know I’m gonna sound like a total geek, but I loved the Paradox P.I. bits. I’m a sucker for those true haunting style reality shows, and I thought this was a great way to bring a bit of current pop culture into the series! 

Overall, an awesome read! Great follow-up to the Vegas vacation. I was a little worried about where the series would head after Kitty and Ben got married, but Carrie Vaughn pulled it off fantastically. Needless to say, I’ll be first in line for the next installment!

Author Bio: Carrie Vaughn had the nomadic childhood of the typical Air Force brat, with stops in California, Florida, North Dakota, Maryland, and Colorado. She holds a Masters in English Literature and collects hobbies-fencing and sewing are currently high on the list. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.

While checking out Carrie’s blog, I came across the most awesome picture ever! Seriously how cool is this chick ----------->
Carrie Vaughn as Vampire Hunter! With Stakes!! Love it :)

BlogTalk Author Interview:

 

Author Blog: Filling The Well

 

Author Website: Carrie Vaughn.com

Author Essay: There are two essays by Carrie available for reading on her page at Hachette Book Group, I knew almost immediately that I wanted to share one because of this particular passage: “Everyone who's a lifelong reader has that book, that best friend they read as a teenager and still read because it feels like coming home.”  Feels like coming home – that’s exactly the feeling I get when re-reading a treasured book.

Books As Friends
by Carrie Vaughn

I've been thinking lately about the idea of books as friends. Maybe even best friends. When I was about 15, I read Robin McKinley's The Blue Sword for the first time. It's about a girl who is orphaned, uprooted from her home to move halfway around the world, where she discovers a mysterious foreign land full of magic, danger, and beautiful horses. Here, she becomes a warrior and saves the world, but more than that she finally finds a place where she belongs. This novel is custom made for slightly misfit, horse-crazy 15-year-old girls, and I was definitely a slightly misfit, horse-crazy girl (around this same time I broke my collarbone falling off a horse, and was back riding four weeks later). I've reread The Blue Sword almost every year since then. That's getting to be a lot of rereadings. Not only does this book make me happy--especially when I'm down, I can curl up with it and a cup of cocoa and retreat from my troubles--it's one of the books that made me want to be a writer. Harry was so real to me, I wanted her to step out of the pages and take me on her adventures. Since that wasn't going to happen, I wanted to write adventures of my own, and create characters who could also be friends, who could comfort me, cheer me up, and who I could root for and weep for.

This is an amazing thing. I'm constantly amazed by the power of words, of mere ink on the page, to evoke this kind of emotion, this feeling of loyalty I have for a character and a world that don't even exist. (The Blue Sword is at the top of the list of books I hope I have if I'm ever stranded on a desert island.) And it isn't just me. Everyone who's a lifelong reader has that book, that best friend they read as a teenager and still read because it feels like coming home.

It's such a cliché to talk about the power of literature. But we talk about it because it's true, and it includes the power to make a kid feel like she's not alone in the world, and that maybe she can make a difference, too.

Okay, one last thing… Carrie includes a special something at the beginning of each book. When I saw these somethings I thought it was such an amazing way of sharing the writing experience with the reader. So what Carrie does, is she includes a playlist at the start of every book. Not just any playlist though, it’s the music she found herself listening to as she wrote the Kitty books. How cool it that? Sharing her musical inspiration with us – I also like to think (in that geeky fan-girl part of my mind) that these songs are ones that Kitty would be playing on her radio station. I’m a big music nerd, so anything that exposes me to music or bands that I might not know of is wicked! To get an idea of how cool this is, here is the playlist for book 6 Kitty Raises Hell.

Kitty Raises Hell: The Playlist

Eric Burden & The Animals - “Paint It Black”
KT Tunstall - “Hold On”
Thompson Twins - “In The Name Of Love”
Pretenders - “Day After Day”
Oingo Boingo - “Just Another Day”
Squirrel Nut Zippers - “Soon”
The Cardigans - “Happy Meal II”
Abby Travis - “Blythe”
Duran Duran - “View To Kill”
They Might Be Giants - “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)”
Garbage - “As Heaven Is Wide”
Cyndi Lauper - “All Through The Night”

And now, here is your chance to win some Kitty books of your own! I’ve got a couple books to offer everyone and a couple of ways to earn some extra entries. First here is what’s up for grabs:

3 people will win a copy of the newest Carrie Vaughn book Kitty Raises Hell!

 

1 Lucky person will win all 6 books in the Kitty Norville series!

Here’s how you can enter:

  • For your first entry – Just let me know you want to enter by leaving a comment.
  • +1 extra entry – If you could shape-shift into any animal, which would you choose?
  • +1 extra entry – Blog about this contest – side bar is fine.
  • +1 extra entry – Do you follow or subscribe? Let me know.
  • +3 extra entries – This is the big question – Zombies take over the world do you barricade yourself in the house, run to the nearest shopping mall, or grab some weapons and bash some brains?

Complete all five things and get 7 chances to win! You can use multiple comments for each entry or just one comment for all – but please be sure to state how many entries you have qualified for and make sure that I have some way to contact you should you win. Leaving your email is the best way – just format it like this ‘whoever [at] email [dot] com’ to fool any spam-bots.

This giveaway is open to anyone with a US or Canada mailing address.
(Sorry no P.O. Boxes) 
Winners will be notified by email and must respond with mailing address.
Books will be mailed by
Hachette Book Group directly.
Entrants may only win one prize. Winners are chosen at random.



© 2008-2010 Joanne Mosher of The Book Zombie. All rights reserved.

66 comments:

bermudaonion said...

Great post! I love the picture of the author.

Sage Ravenwood said...

Would love to be entered in this drawing. I've been wanting to read the series in what seems forever.
Thanks! Indigo

ravensquietscreams(at)gmail(dot)com

Sage Ravenwood said...

If I could morph into any animal what would it be, I'm hoping birds fall under that category as well.

I would be a Raven, not only is it my animal guide (I'm Native American). To be able to soar and fly with the wind is exhilarating. Not to mention the Raven's ability to cross between the world of the living and the dead. Thanks! Indigo

ravensquietscreams(at)gmail(dot)com

Sage Ravenwood said...

I also follow you on Google Reader. Thanks! Indigo

ravensquietscreams(at)gmail(dot)com

Sage Ravenwood said...

Zombies? Depends on the numbers...If your overwhelmed barricade yourself in and always have weapons to bash brains in. If you can keep moving and there are a few here and there find more humans, and continue to bash zombie brains. The more humans you find to watch your back the more chances you have of surviving. No matter what, weapons to bash zombie brains is a must. You're an idiot if you take them on empty handed *winks*...Thanks for the mulitiple chances for this! Indigo

ravensquietscreams(at)gmail(dot)com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

oh yay, enter me for sure! i think these sound great, and i love music as well...so whoohooo for the playlists. Jeri Smith-
Ready does that for Wicked Game and Bad to the Bone as well.

-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I'm already a follower. :)

-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

And I'd like to say I'd go out and fight some zombies, but i'm such a wimp...I'd probably barricade myself in the house. lol

-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

Elizabeth said...

I would love to be entered in this contest! These books sound so great...

Let's see - if I could shapeshift, I think I'd go with a house cat, they seem to have a pretty nice life.

Oh, and when the zombies come - I'm going out and fighting. I'm prepared for the war.

I subscribe to you on Google Reader.

Thanks!
Elizabeth - enengle AT gmail DOT com (6 entries)

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me (although I'd go bash Zombie brain); I'm just dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

Vanessa said...

Please include me in this giveaway. I am dying to read these books.

If I could shapeshift, it would be into a cat. The lifestyle of a cat is something I aspire to.

RSS subscriber

I have kids, so I'm going to have to say that in case of zombie apocalypse, I'm going to barricade myself in and protect them. Dont' look to me to save you, sorry.

I think that's 6 entries. Thanks so much for this fun contest.

Vanessa
gypsyrover21@yahoo.ca

CherylS22 said...

+1 Please enter me in the drawing.

+1 I would probably like to shape-shift into a rabbit.

+3 Grab some weapons and bash some brains!

Thanks,
Cheryl (5 entries)
megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I would really love to be entered into this contest. Please enter me. Thanks!

tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

If I could shape-shift into any animal, I'd be a unicorn. Then I'd be the only one in the world. If mythological animals don't count, then I guess a horse would be cool too.

tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Subscribed. I couldn't resist. I love your blog title. :-)

tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

If zombies took over, I think I would barricade myself in my house WITH weapons. I think running out into the hoarde would be suicidal, but I'd have no quelms about bashing the brains of any who came after me at home.

There, that's six entries total for me. Thanks!

tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'm entering the contest.

If I could shape shift, I'd want to be a falcon, so I could fly. Always wanted to float above the cloud.
If zombies attack, I'm barricading myself in my house, plenty of food, water and chances to think of how to escape.

That's six!

weiss 145 at aol dot com

Debs Desk said...

Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net

Number One Novels said...

I would love to be entered in this contest!

Unknown said...

I want in:)

bridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com

Number One Novels said...

I have a fascination with the large cats (though I suppose shapeshifting into a house cat would be amusing in its own way). I think I'd shift into a leopard, panther, or tiger.

Unknown said...

I would be a bird. I know that sounds funny but I would love to fly free.

bridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'm now following you.

bridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com

Number One Novels said...

Zombie takeover plan: I'd have to go with an in between approach--I'd run to the nearest Costco (plenty of food, supplies, even couches for naps), grab some weapons, and defend my territory.

Number One Novels said...

Opps, I forgot to say I qualify for 5 entries. Thanks!

numberonenovels[at]gmail.com

Unknown said...

I would grab weapons and start slaying. (At least I hope that's what I'd do.) I'm the type of girl who hears a strange noise, grabs the closest thing to her to use as a weapon and then investigates. I know I watch too many movies and read too many books. But hey, if zombies come, I'll be prepared!

bridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Posting contest on my sidebar at:

http://bridget3420.blogspot.com

chrisa511 said...

I would love to enter to win this series!! It sounds fantastic!! And I do indeed subscribe to your blog :) As for shape shifting...I'd like to be a monkey! Why? because they're just cool. And if zombies came....hell yeah, I'd be out there kicking some zombie ass a la Shaun of the Dead :p Let's see...I think that's 6 entries, right?

Susan said...

Cool, so cool. susan(at)flynn4347@rogers.com

I'd shape shift into a wolf. Oh yes! A lovely white wolf :-)

And....the big answer.....I've dreamt that I was with Buffy (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) at a shopping mall fighting off zombies!!!! Do I get more bonus points for this very interesting dream?? lol

Susan said...

so that's 2, +3, for me (and any extra points for cool dream)!

Pissenlit said...

Ha! That really is the most awesome picture ever!

1st entry - Enter me please!

+1 extra entry - If I could shapeshift into any animal, it would be a wolf...or a coyote...they're so cute!...uh...I mean, cool...

+3 extra entries – If zombies take over the world, I would run to the nearest shopping mall to stock up on weapons...then barricade myself in the house(you know, to rest up)...and then grab my stash of weapons and bash some brains! :D

un_pissenlit (at) hotmail (dot) com

Nicole said...

I really want to read this series.

Nicole said...

If I could shapeshift I would choose panther. nmcdon (at) hotmail (dot) com

CalicoKelsey said...

+1 I would love to be in this contest

+1 A lynx, small and springy and because they are a nice shade of gray

+3 Bunch of weapons, go down swinging

That's 4 entries!

Eileen said...

I read a bit of Carrie Vaughn's blog and came away very impressed. I have to admit, I've been snubbing my nose at urban fantasy but have been seriously rethinking that opinion. Carrie seems like a very smart lady and now I'm curious about what her books are like. You can read my post about this giveaway here. And I've just become a follower.

If I could shapeshift into any animal, I would definitely be a coyote!

In the event of a zombie apocalypse, I like to think I'd kick butt, but I'd probably run to the nearest shopping mall. There'd be more people there, plus a whole lot of stuff under one roof.

Eileen said...

Oh, and that's 7 entries I qualify for.

Eileen said...

My email: elfay123(at)gmail(dot)com

Kristi said...

Here we go! I would love to be entered for these books! I already follow you (and you are on my blogroll) I would shapeshift into a (mama)bear - Want to protect my cubs! If zombies were to be around I would probably barricade myself in my house - but if they tried to get in, then I would pick up some weapons to bash them (see mama bear comment...)

That's 6 entries!

kherbrand at comcast dot net

Lenore Appelhans said...

That is a great author picture!! We don't have a name for the new kitty yet... he does have a fancy birth name but we probably won't keep it.
No need to enter me in the contest!

nfmgirl said...

+1-- Please count me in!

+1-- I'd be a whale. I could eat all I want, get fat, never have to take a shower (because I'm swimming in water all day), and would never be in a hurry to get anywhere.

+3-- I'd probably first barricade myself in, suffering from denial. Then I would join up with others, grab weapons, and bash heads!

Bcteagirl said...

Very cool contest, I would love to be entered!

If I could change into any animal, I would probably either change into a bird to fly, or a deep sea ocean animal, both ways I would get to experience something I wouldn't be otherwise.

Zombies? Grab a bug out kit (in the works), hop on bike (saving up for) and out to a more isolated area... So none of the three options above :P

Thanks for the contest!!

Kami said...

I want to win!

If I could shapeshift into an animal I would want to be a large wild cat like a leopard or a jaguar.

If zombies took over the world, I would want to find a group of people to follow who could protect me. I would try to find some fire power like a machine gun and a whole lot of ammo. Then with my heavily armed group, we would find a safe place that we could defend that would have a lot of supplies like a shopping mall.

The Giveaway Diva said...

ahha love that pic of the author! Awesome!

The Giveaway Diva said...

i would want to morph into a dog because i love them so much!!

The Giveaway Diva said...

i think i would be a scardy cat and just hide and hope that they can't find me! =(

Jo said...

Please enter me! (+1)

I would shift into a dragon. (+1)

I blogged about this at: http://ponderingthelibrary.blogspot.com/2009/03/another-opportunity-to-win-kitty-books.html (+1)

I'm a follower. (+1)

I'd bash Zombie brain until I got to my family. Then we'd barricade ourselves in the (my parents) house - and bash more Zombie brain as needed. (+3)

(7 entries total)
jump_up_thrice [at] hotmail [dot] com

A. Thomas said...

I keep hearing how great the Kitty books are, and I'd love to be entered so I hopefully win these books! (+1)

I'd like to be able to shape-shift into a crow. They're small enough to not be noticed, and large enough to not be bothered...and I could spy on people. (+1)

I'm a subscriber. (+1)

I once read a book about what to do in case of zombie attacks. My best bet is to barricade myself in my house, and hope that the zombies are of the slow and stupid variety. (+3)

That's a total of 6 entries for me.

NyueL113[at]yahoo[dot]com

Becca said...

I really want to read these! Please enter me. (+1)

I would shape shift into a tiger. I love the big cats. (+1)

In case of zombies I would grab some weapons and take it to the zombies. Even in a supermarket you can't wait forever. (+3)

That makes 5 entries in all. Thanks for the chance.
rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

Dawn M. said...

Oooo, I want to enter! I love the Kitty books and would love to own them all. (+1)

If I could shift, I'd probably choose a wolf or big cat. Nothing so small that it could be easily overpowered but nothing so big that it couldn't hide. (+1)

I now subscribe by email. (+1)

If zombies took over the world, first, I'd go out to get weapons and stock up on food. Then I'd find somewhere to hole up and bash all zombies that came my way. (+3)

So that's 6 entries. :0)

Thanks!

Ladytink_534 said...

+1 Have I mentioned how very much I love this series? I have the first two and the fifth one and they are amazing! Love the extra effort you put into this with the graphics.

+1 Any animal? A tiger or jaguar would be awesome but kind of dangerous in today's world so I guess I would have to go with a wolf... but I still like my first two choices more lol.

+1 Follower!

+3 Zombies totally freak me out so I'd gather up a group of really good friends and family and find a defendable position. Ugh, even the idea is going to give me nightmares!

Ladytink_534 [at] yahoo [dot] com

bevsclark said...

First entry – Please enter me. This would be a new author for me!

+1 extra entry – If you could shape-shift into any animal, which would you choose? After reading Twilight, I would go with Wolf! Hopefully Jacob would be there to assist me with the transitions.

+3 extra entries – This is the big question – Zombies take over the world and I would grab some weapons and bash some brains!

Kristi said...

+ 1 entry - I posted about this here: http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2009/03/weekly-round-up-of-links-3-29-2009.html

kherbrand at comcast dot net

Melody said...

Great post, Joanne!
BTW, I've passed you an award! ;)

Jill said...

Wow, what a great contest! Please count me in. I loved the first book, which I read just last week, and I'm definitely planning on reading the others. I will also post on my sidebar about your lovely contest. And for my extra entries:

Of course I follow your blog! :-)

It probably depends on my mood, but tonight I'd pick a dolphin as my shape-changing form of choice. Or maybe a dragon - flying would be good.

As far as the zombies go, if I had my kids with me, I'd have to barricade up and protect them. If not, I'd grab the weapons and wade out to save them. :-)

That's 7 entries - thanks!

Wendy aka Misswendiki said...

I'd love to win. Thanks for the chance.

Marie said...

I would love a chance to read the Kitty books!

vmlay@artsci.wustl.edu

Marie said...

If I could shapeshift into any animal it would be a big cat -- a leopard or jaguar I think!

As far as the Zombies -- I guess I'd barricade myself in since I have little ones.

Carrie said...

Love your site! Love the article. I have only read one book from the Kitty books.

I would love to shapeshift into a wolf.

If you don't mind I will take a look at your site and post a blog on the contest plus some of your other content.

Also if you don't mind I would love to put a permanent link to your site on mine.

I would lock myself in the house if zombies were to come, while I love a good zombie movie they scare the crap out of me.

I think I get 3 or 4 entries I am not sure thanks for the chance.

kalea_kane said...

I would love to win any of these books! And wow, nice to be such an author hottie. :) Great giveaway!

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

Somehow my entries got frigged up. Anyway, I would shape shift into a tiger. I think they are beautiful, scary and they can swim so really is there much that they can't handle? Great giveaway!

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

I am also a follower and I blogged about your giveaway:

http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/2009/03/another-cupla-giveaways.html

So That is 3 entries in this comment

kalea_kane said...

Somehow my entries got frigged up. Anyway, I would shape shift into a tiger. I think they are beautiful, scary and they can swim so really is there much that they can't handle? Great giveaway!

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

I am also a follower and I blogged about your giveaway:

http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/2009/03/another-cupla-giveaways.html

So That is 3 entries in this comment

kalea_kane said...

For my last extra 3 entries...if zombies came to town...I would love to hide out in a mall, but the fact is you end up with a lot of cowards that way and your chances are pretty good that ONE of them has already been bitten and is wigging out and scared. So I would get a group together and get to bashing. Far better to be proactive and get to a good truck and haul butt out of there and get out than to be stuck where they can get to you. Funny thing is...I dream about this stuff ALL the time.

Thanks again.

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jeanne Ryan said...

I would love to win all of them. I need them for "research" since I write urban fantasy. At least that is what I tell my kids so they'll let me read in peace.

I want to be a big cat, like a panther. I love the way they move and black is cool for sneaking around in the shadows.

I love passing on contests. It creates good karma. Here's my live journal - http://bhadrasvapna.livejournal.com/382702.html

I now follow. There can't be enough book journals.

For the zombie apocalypse, my friends and I have vowed to go down fighting. Chainsaws are our preferred weapon of choice. Chainsaws and flame throwers.

That's all questions for a grand total of 7 entries.

email: lunasea16 (at) yahoo (dot) com

The Bookworm said...

I love how you set up this post, wonderful!!
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Book Sp(l)ot said...

I think I'd shapeshif into a....maybe I'm boring tonight but a dog...they have fun, people love them, they're still grrr ;)

and if zombies attacked I would probably stay in my house...I saw that movie with zombies and them in a mall, so... And I think with the neighbors we have and the area...we could take them and stay in the house all safe :)

So...me=5? (if this is still open, I didn't see the date)

book.splot AT gmail DOT com

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