My Book Haul/In My Mailbox

**Shameless Plug - Don't forget to check out my Sabina Kane Giveaway for a chance to win one of the books in the series!**

The Story Siren hosts a weekly meme where bloggers can share what goodies they've purchased/received this week. If you get a chance head over to The Story Siren and check out what everyone is up to!

I've had a bumper this week in terms of books arriving in the post - and best of all they've all been giveaway wins or gifts so I'm keeping to my vague promise to not spend so much on books...for now! :)

First up was an unexpected gift in the post from my friend, Kris. He has challenged me to read some more classics this year (of a fantasy theme) and after I said I was searching for this book, he found a second-hand copy and sent it to me - and in the process cheering me up no end!

Foundation and Empire - Issac Asimov

The Seldon Plan guided the First Foundation safely through two centuries of chaos as the Galactic Empire disintegrated. Seldon's recorded holographic image appeared in the Council Chamber on Terminus at moments of crisis predicted by pshychohistory, and his voice was heard. Even war between the Foundation and the remains of the Empire was foreseen - and planned for - by the great scientist. But Seldon had no way of predicting the birth of the Mule, a mutant of uncanny power and unlimited ambition. The Mule's conquests are effortless and his subjects mind-controlled slaves. The Foundation is powerless against the supernormal force the Mule exerts. The Seldon Plan is in tatters. Two men and a woman from Terminus flee to the ruins of might Trantor in an effort to discover where the mysterious Second Foundation was established. Its help is needed desperately against the mental powers of the Mule. But the Mule, using those same astonishing powers, is also looking for the Second Foundation.

Hellforged (Deadtown 2) - Nancy Holzner

Publisher: US - Ace

A demon is stalking Vicky's dreams-just as several of Deadtown's zombies are viciously attacked and become really dead. And when Vicky realizes she is the only connection between the victims, she suspects that the demon is somehow working through her dreams to become Deadtown's living nightmare.

I won this from Jackie at Literary Escapism and it turned up this week from Nancy Holzner with a lovely message inside - I can't wait to start reading this series!

Another surprise this week was that I won the first month bundle in Floor To Ceiling Books Speculative Fiction Challenge. Amanda got these books in the post pretty quick and I received them this week - only two days after being told I'd won!

Rivers of London - Ben Aaronovitch

I had this book on my wishlist so was very excited to win it!

Blonde Bombshell - Tom Holt

I'm a fan of Tom Holt and would have picked this up anyway :)

Nightshade (Arc) - Andrea Cremer

This has had so many positive reviews - it looks like a fun read

 And finally have you heard about the Great Transworld Crime Caper? No? Maybe you should check it out!

Transworld are offering reviewers (not just those with blogs but if you post on Amazon or other sites) the chance to read three crime capers, starting at the beginning of series. All you have to do go to their post here before 14th February and they'll send you your first choice book from this list:

1. Full Dark House by Christopher Fowler
2. Sacrifice by S. J. Bolton
3. Blacklands by Belinda Bauer
4. Birdman by Mo Hayder
5. The Chemistry of Death by Simon Beckett
6. Past Caring by Robert Goddard
7. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin
8. Echoes from the Dead by Johan Theorin
9. The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
10. If I Never See You Again by Niamh O’Connor
11. The Accident Man by Tom Cain
12. The Business of Dying Simon Kernick

They'll send you the first book and once you post your review, they'll send you your next choice! Sorry this is for EU residents only. I signed up this week and have already received my first choice - the first of the Bryant & May series:

Full House Dark - Christopher Fowler

The story opens with a member of one of London's most unusual police units being blown up in his office. He is John May, partner to Arthur Bryant, who now starts to investigate his death. The search takes Bryant back to the time of their first meeting in 1940. London is struggling to survive the Blitz when a beautiful dancer is found without her feet. Bryant and May's investigation uncovers a weird gothic mystery, involving a killer who appears to be faceless. In the present day, May speculates whether that old adversary might be the killer. He needs to solve a riddle that began more than 50 years earlier.

I thought this sounded like a interesting mystery and the cover is fab!

Phew! What a week! What have you received this week? :)