It’s that time time of year again when we Aussies get a little bit crazy and carried away. Yep, that’s right its Australia Day! (Well technically it’s tomorrow, but some have a long weekend now so it counts!) And to celebrate all things Aussie, I’m joining forces with a bunch of other blogs in Shelleyrae’s Australia Day Blog Hop Giveaway, where a bunch of fantastic Aussie blogs are giving away free Australian Swag and books. So make sure you check out Book’d out for all participating blogs; you never know what you might win from it or who you might meet along the way! So pull up a seat, and grab a ‘snag'(a sausage or if your from the UK a banger) and grab a cold one and simply enjoy 🙂
My entire life my Dad has told me how lucky we are to live in this beautiful sunburnt country. What’s more he’s taught from a young age the need to buy ‘local’ and support your own at home. So to celebrate Australia Day this year, I’m doing just that; I’m giving away some fantastic Australian books by some of my favourite local authors. *click on the cover to read the goodreads blurb*
Book Pack #1: Signed paperback Dead Actually by Kaz Delaney
and swag
Signed copy. This book pack is available to Australian residents only sorry.
Book Pack # 2: Signed paperback of Almost Dead by Kaz Delaney & Swag
Signed copy. This book pack is available for Australian residents only sorry.
Book # 3: E-copy ‘What Happens In Ireland’ by Whitney K.E
E-copy. Open internationally
Book # 4 : E-copy of “Decieve Me In Ireland’ by Whitney K.E
E-copy. Open International.
Note: this title has not yet been published, but will be at the end of this month.
Book # 5: E- copy of ‘In Safe Hands’ by Lee Christine (Romantic Suspense).
E-copy. Open Internationally.
Book # 6: E-copy of ‘In Safe Arms’ by Lee Christine (Romantic Suspense) Open Internationally.
E-book. Open Internationally.
To win one of these fab giveaway bundles, leave a comment on this post telling me which book pack/book you’d most want to win and why? While your at it, let me know who your favourite Australian Authors are or what your favourite Aussie book is – I’d love to find some more to read 🙂
For a bonus entry, like The Never Ending Bookshelf on facebook and/or subscribe to this blog (by doing so you may win yourself a signed copy of Matthew Reilly’s The Tournament.
Entries close midnight January 28 2014 with winners announced on February 4. 2014. Different book packs are open to different groups – ebooks are open internationally, print copies are for Australian residents only (sorry, postage is so expensive for books here).
Best of luck everyone and Happy Australia Day.
The Never Ending Bookshelf 
Hi, Jess. What great prizes! I’d just love to win Dead Actually! I haven’t read it but after reading Almost Dead and absolutely loving it, I’m dying to! I think your dad is right, it is so important to support fellow Australians 🙂 There are so many Australian authors I love. Paula Weston (Shadows, Haze) Melina Marchetta – I just love every single thing she has written, I just discovered Tara Eglington with How To Keep A Boy From Kissing You and loved it! And I love Tansy Rayner Roberts who writes Fantasy for adults and just stepped into crime with her pen name Livia Day, Deborah Kalin is another fantastic fantasy writer. And Jo Spurrier, can’t forget to mention her. She writes fantasy for adults that’s a bit on the gritty side but her writing is beautiful and flawless. Gosh, there’s heaps more but that would make this comment huge.
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
P.S I liked your Facebook page 🙂
Hey Rochelle.
You’ll love Dead Actually. Out of the two, Almost Dead is my favourite, but I did quite love reading Dead Actually as well 🙂
Yeah, my Dad ingrained the concept of supporting locals early on, as it means you support your local industry’s and people alike, and who knows when you might need a job. He hates the idea of work going off shore and I totally understand. But I LOVE Australian authors and their take on the world and stories. That said, I never realised Tara Eglington was an Aussie. I’ve seen both her books in that series at work, even hand sold them a few times, but was unaware of that fact. I’ll have to read them soon, especially after they come with such high praise 🙂 I’ll keep a look out of Tansy Rayner/Livia Day and Paula Weston.
I’m loving that everyone is sharing so many authors and books with each other. When I originally chose that as entry into the draw, I choose it out of curiosity. I’m loving finding out about so many new authors and books that I need to read sooner than later!
Tara grew up in Byron Bay and her books are really worth checking out, especially if you like romantic comedy. I cannot praise Paula Weston enough. She has written one of the best YA angel books out there if you ask me, and even people who don’t like angel books say they like this one.
I love Rom Coms. I might just be on a small book buying spree come Monday. I’m also quite a bit fan of the paranormal movement etc.. and have on occasion enjoyed angel books, so I’ll be sure to check them both out. Thanks once again for the recommendations.
Hey Jess, I would like to win either ‘Dead Actually’ or ‘Absolutely Dead’. They sound like something that I would be interested in and am keen to give them a go. My favorite Australian author has to be Christos Tsiolkas. He has a talent for writing compelling fiction featuring (generally speaking) quite unlikable characters. Additionally I love how most of his writing deals with the complexities of contemporary Australian (often, but not always, homosexual) masculinities which is a subject that few Australian authors deal with.
Nice choice John. Christos Tsiolkas has a really big following, especially after The Slap was made into that mini-series. People went crazy over him. Even more so over his latest release.
Hi Jess, I would love to win either of the Kaz Delaney prizes. Ever since I read an article about her in the RWA magazine, I’ve seen her name pop up everywhere. I’ve never read one of her books, and I’ve banned myself from buying books for a while – way too many on my TBR pile – but that doesn’t mean I can’t win any – right.
Wasn’t that a great article too Kendall? I had both books signed and ready to give away by the time I read that and it just made me smile even bigger. She won an Romance Readers of Australia award for Dead Actually last year too. Both books are a great read – well worth it.
I totally know where you’re coming from too. I’ve had to ban myself from buying books all the time. Despite the fact I don’t have quite enough space for them all now, I still buy them all the time. So I hope your having more luck in that department than I am. I actually brought one today too – Firestorm by Tamara McKinley!
Would love book pack 2 (have book 1 on my tbr pile!) There are so many great Aussie Authors we really are spoilt for choice
We really are lucky to have so many talented writers that call Australia home aren’t we?
These all sound like so much fun! I would be happy with any of them, but the Kaz Delaney books look like particularly good fun.
I don’t know if you’ve read Anna Cowan’s lovely debut book Untamed yet, but if you enjoy cross-dressing in your romance novels, I think you’d find this a lot of fun (conflict of interest statement – Anna is a good friend of mine, but I really would have enjoyed her book regardless). And I’m seconding Tansy Rayner Roberts – her e-book ‘Love and Romanpunk’ is pure brilliance – funny and tragic and feminist and incredibly clever all at once.
I haven’t had a chance to read either of those authors yet Catherine, but I’ve added their books to me TBR pile now 🙂 Added you into the draw for all of the books 🙂
Hi Jess, Great selections. I would love one of the Kaz Delaney books, they sound fab. I seem to read loads of Australian fiction, we have such great writers here. This year my favourite has been Richard Flanagan but I also loved Fiona McIntosh, Hannah Kent, Hannah Richell and Chris Allen…there are too many to add. PS Heading over to Facebook now. 🙂
Some great names and choices there too Erin. I often find it hard to choose which author/book I’m going to read next, not so much because I can’t find something, but because I can’t choose between all the fantastic authors and books we have at our disposal!
Dead Actually by Kaz Delaney. I’d give it to my sister. Tim Winton is my favourite Australian author.
I loved Cloudstreet by Tim Winton. Which one was your favourite?
Either of the Kaz Delaney books would be great!
They are both a great read Dale 🙂
I hope you enjoy your blog hopping this weekend 🙂
Hi Jess, Book #1 pack would be great please 🙂 Thanks….favourite Aussie authors – heaps! Helene Young, Bronwyn Parry, Jaye Ford, Honey Brown, Loretta Hill, P.D. Martin, Sandy Curtis, Kathryn Fox, Katherine Howell, Lee Christine, Michael Robotham, Bryce Courtenay, Karly Lane, Fiona McIntosh, and many, many more 🙂
I already like you on FB too Jess 😉
Hey Brenda 🙂
As you already know, I love pretty much most of your favourite list. A few I haven’t had the chance to read yet, but look forward to. We have pretty similar tastes in books for the most part I think 🙂
Enjoy your blog hopping this weekend.
Hi Jess, I’d be interested in #1, #2 or #3. So many fave authors … Kate Forsyth is one I really admire.
I love Kate Forsyth Monique. I read Bitter Greens and feel in love. My friends and family will probably testify to that affect too, because I kept pushing the book on them for months 🙂 Which of her books is your favourite? Have you ever had the chance to hear her speak? She’s such a passionate and inspiring women.
I’ve put you done for all three Monique. Have a great Australia Day!
Hi Jess, either book pack numbers 1 or 2 would be my choice. Still can’t bring myself to buy an ereader as I love the look, feel and smell of a real book too much.
Kate Forsyth is an author I love and also Jenn McLeod is great too.
Even though I now own both a Kindle and Ipad, I totally understand where your coming from Annie. I need my for travel and connivance, but I still prefer a paper copy to an ebook personally. I know I read paperbacks a hell of a lot faster too.
I’m a huge fan of Kate Forsyth myself! I absolutely loved her novel Bitter Greens. I’m pretty sure everyone I met for at least six months after I read that was told how amazing it was and that they NEEDED to read it, yesterday!
I’m ashamed to admit I have read Jenn McLeod yet, I do own her debut novel though and I’m hoping to get to it in the next couple of months 🙂
Thanks Jess for the great giveaway. Happy AUSTRALIA Day!!!
Your welcome Lee! Happy Australia Day to you too!
I’d love to win Lee Christine’s books (No. 5 and 6) because I have a feeling her books would be my kind of read – suspense – Jason Bourne-style hero and a bit of a shoot em up. Two of my favourite reads last year were Kate Belle’s The Yearning and Sarah Belle’s Hindsight (no the two authors aren’t related – I must just have a thing for Belle’s.) Jenn McLeod who is mentioned above is fabulous too, and two others you might be interested in are Jennie Jones and Juanita Kees (House On Burra Burra Lane, with second book in that series coming up) and Juanita with Under The Hood (and hopefully a second book coming up).
I’m off to like your FB page too.
Lee Christine’s book are nothing short of amazing. She’s a fantastic author and I’m sure you’d love them 🙂
I actually happen to own Jenn McLeod’s “House For All Seasons” and Jennie Jones’ “The House On Burra Burra” (I got the later the second it came in print after reading so many great reviews about it!). I’m really looking forward to reading them soon.
I followed your blog tour too for your latest release. Some great reviews and stories came from there 🙂
Happy Australia Day 🙂
I would love to win Book Pack #1. My favourite aussie author now would have to be Kate Morton because i love The Secret Keeper.
Great choice Melissa. Kaz is a great author, as is Kate Morton!
Almost Dead by Kaz Delaney. I just read a terrific interview with her. I recommend Bryce Courtenay. He is my favourite Aussie author but the list is long. Happy a Australia Day!
Happy Australia Day to you too Melissa.
Bryce Courtney comes highly recommend. I tried to read one of his books when I was younger, but I think I might have been slightly too young to get it at the time. He’s an author I’ll be giving another go again soon.
Dead, Actually. Ohh, I really want to read that one. I recently read book two Almost Dead and absolutely loved it! Kaz Delaney is hilarious. I loved that it was set on the Gold Coast, a place most of Australia have visited at least once, and it put me right back up there, so much so that I’m eager to go again. Tourism QLD should really be looking at her for their next ad campaign, stuff Lara Bingle.
Oh, and check out Ambelin Kwaymullina’s The Tribe series. Awesomely brilliant.
Happy Oz day!
How amazing is Almost Dead! I loved that one. Macey comes along way from the first to the second book. I’m sure you’ll love the first one when you read it. I agree with you too regarding the tourism campaign, chuck some authors and there books in there and you’ll have a bunch of people rushing to see where their favourites stories came to life. Couldn’t hurt hey? 🙂
I own the first one in Ambelin Kwaymullina’s series. Looking forwarding to reading that at a later date.
Have a fantastic Australia Day.
ooh, Kaz Delaney’s sound like fun reads! I love ghost x romance type of stories!
Aussie fave author? Way too many to name but to start with Kate Forsyth, Alison Croggon, Trudi Canavan, Traci Harding, Melina Marchetta, etc.
Happy Australia Day 🙂
Kaz is a superb writer. I love both of the books I’m giving away 🙂
Kate Forsyth is an all time favourite of mine as well, as is Melina Marchetta. Thanks for the recommendations with the others, I’ll have to go and check them out. I’ve heard of Trudi Canavan and her series before, but never read any of her books.
Happy Australia Day to you too!
I’d love to win a copy of Dead Actually by Kaz Delaney.
All of these look like great books.
🙂 x
Added you into the draw Zoe. Best of luck and Happy Australia Day!
I’d like book pack one please as I’m obsessed with crime fiction and always keen to discover new authors.
Hey Marisa,
Happy Australia Day!
All three of these authors I’ve just discovered in the past year and can not recommend them highly enough. If you love crime fiction have you read any of Lee Christine’s work? Although classified as romantic suspense they are dealing with pretty big criminal issues (In Safe Hands features a criminal lawyer who comes under threat due to the clients she represents and In Safe Arms has the protagonist witness the murder of a famous bikie president and thus her life is in danger). Both books are a fantastic read. Likewise I’d also highly recommend Jaye Ford! She has three crime/thriller novels out at the moment – Beyond Fear; Scared Yet?; and her most recent release is Blood Secret. I really wanted to give a copy of Blood Secret away, but I couldn’t find a copy anywhere, that’s just how popular she is! Amazing author.
Wow! No I haven’t read any of Lee Christine. 🙂 Thanks for the recommendation.
I’ll add you into the draw for them as well, you never know if you might win one or not.
Dead Actually- Kaz Delaney please. Love having some Australian authors to follow. This is my plan for 2014- read as many!
Hey Donna I’m the same. I read predominately Australian authors now, which is a complete 180 from this time two years ago where I was reading more American and European fiction. I still read a lot of that same stuff, but there’s just something magical about reading novels set in our own backyards. I can never wipe the silly smile off my face if I’ve been to the places that the novels are set in either!
Hi everybody! Waving madly… Especially you Jess! Thank you for all your support – you are a goddess and I’m organising a cross-nation Mexican Wave in your honour as we speak. What a fantastic blog!!! I’m hooked. And happy, happy Australia Day!
What a blast to be here in the company of such fabbo authors. I’m excited to read Whitney K-E’s books as I’ve only heard great stuff about her – and now after being here with her, I’m off to buy those books today. (Don’t you love (or sometimes hate 😉 that easy one click thing???Too easy, right? ). But Lee Christine? If you love Rom Suspense – you’ll love her work. I was hooked on her first book from the first page. Brilliant stuff. I’m a forever fan.
Thank you so much for all the lovely things people have said here. And at the risk of being a Blog Hog, if you ever want to see what’s happening in my world (D.R.A.M.A) you’re welcome to pop in at kazdelaney.wordpress.com. (Just pretend you didn’t see that Jess, right?)
And I love following – I’m such a great follower… (At least that’s what all my teachers said. They meant it as a good thing, right? 😉 ) So, always let me know about your great blogs.
I’ll be hanging around a bit over the next few days – this is too good a party to miss out on.
Kaz Insight:
2014 New Year resolution 374: Consider finding another term other than ‘right?’ which is very annoying if read repeatedly, especially in a short piece, right? 🙂 Mea culpa.
2014 NY resolution 375: Pull back on the exclamations. You sound like a loon. Mea culpa x 2
Forgive my excitement and thank you again Jess, from the bottom of my heart. xxxxx
Your more than Welcome Kaz. It’s lovely to have you!
I quite often frequent your website so it’s all good, besides its just another blog to hop around on over the next few days and beyond, it’s all good fun 🙂
I forgot to add that you’ll love Whitney’s books. The second one – Deceive Me in Ireland is released this week and I can’t wait to read it personally!
Some fabulous prizes there, Jess! I love Lee Christine’s books. And Kaz Delaney is such an exceptional person I’m sure her books will be a humorous as she is!!
That they are Helene 🙂
Happy Australia Day!
What a great choice of books. Kaz Delaney is one of my fave peeps. I’ve got her first one on at the top of the TBR pile, so Almost Dead for me.
Happy Australia Day!
Thanks Eleni. Almost Dead is amazing; I’ve added you to the list!
Happy Australia Day!
Deceive Me in Ireland because the blurb sounds interesting
Don’t think I’ve read any
I’m so excited to read Deceive Me In Ireland. I read Whitney’s first book and devoured it. I can’t wait to read this one either.
Hi I would like to win Prize Pack 3 – What Happens in Ireland. I got a new Kindle for Xmas and keen to build up my ‘library’ with a range go Aussie authors. liked on FB.
Thanks Terese – I saw your name pop up on facebook. I’ve added the bonus entry for you 😉 What Happens in Ireland is a great book to start building your library up with. Have fun discovering a range of new Aussie authors.
Either of the Kaz Delaney books, both look like great summer reads. Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂
Your Welcome Regan. They are the perfect summer read 🙂
What a great giveaway Jess, thanks for the chance to win. I am loving this blog-hop, as I am discovering so many new names and books. Only trouble is, my TBR list has doubled in a couple of days!
Love the sound of all your prize offers, however, I am very much still a “paper” reader. Can’t yet bring myself to read on a screen, other than the computer. I love sitting in a comfy spot and curling up with a “real” book. Maybe one day.
I have a number of favourite Australian authors: Bryce Courtenay, Jenn J McLeod, Juanita Keys, Deborah Burrows, to name a few.
I am extremely grateful to this blog-hop for reminding me of the Aussie novels I have had sitting on my bookshelf. I finished reading Tina Arena’s memoirs this afternoon, and headed straight for the shelf and have now started on Picnic At Hanging Rock.
Thanks for the Australia Day fun.
Karen
I know the feeling Karen, my TBR pile has just about doubled as well I think.
I’ve always wanted to read Picnic At Hanging Rock but for some reason I’ve never gotten to it yet. I remember going on a family holiday when I was little and seeing the costumes from the movie in a display, for years I had myself convinced they were artefacts and that it actually happened!
Hi Jess
Thanks for this competition. I would like to win: What Happens in Ireland because I have Irish heritage.
And in terms of my favourite Aussie Author. My new favourite, hands down, is Sherryl Caulfield. Just read her Seldom Come By and loved it. Set in Newfoundland on the eve of WWI. Quite a moving story. A good blend of history, scenery, romance and tragedy with some great unexpected moments.
Anita 🙂
Hey Anita.
I have Irish heritage too, and ever since I found I’ve been obsessed with Ireland 🙂 Not that there is anything wrong with that :p
I haven’t heard about Sherryl Caulfield before, so thanks for the recommendation. I’ll make sure to check her out – Seldom Come By sounds like my kind of book 🙂