Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, I was a kid. (Emphasis on a long, long time ago.) I read a lot of books, but the ones I most looked forward to were horror novels. Of course, this was back before the internet, cable, and newspapers. (Okay, yes, we had newspapers, but we lived in Siberia, where we barely got the teeny town newspaper — nothing big like the New York Times.)

So anyway, I never knew when new books released. I'd just go to the store, browse the book section (we didn't have a proper book store, so you had to hit the book section in the grocery store or at Kmart) and get all excited when I found a new horror novel by a favorite author.

Then I grew up, and I still didn't know that Tuesdays were the magic day when books release. Heck, I didn't even know this until well after I was published and I finally figured out that all my books released on Tuesdays.

I'm a little slow.

Anyway, so today is Tuesday, and a gob of new books are dropping. Newly downloaded onto my Kindle or in the mail to be delivered today are Skin Heat, by Ava Gray, and Frostfire, by Lynn Viehl, among others.

I can't wait to read Skin Heat, because Ava Gray is fantastic, and I loved the first two books in her Skin Series. But I've already read Frostfire…and people, let me tell you, the book is awesome. The best of Lynn's books yet. And I'm not just saying that because the hero is hot. Or because the heroine has a special connection with animals (and those who know me know I'm an animal lover to an extreme.) Or because the book is dedicated to me.

No, really. That last reason is not why AT ALL.

But it doesn't hurt.

See, Lynn Viehl is one of a handful of people who I credit with getting me through a hard time and without whom I'd never have been published. There's this thing with a lucky dictionary…which is also mentioned in the dedication. And which may or may not also be in one of my dedications in one of my books. *blinks innocently*

But more than that, Ms. Viehl is generous. If you follow her blog at all, you know that she spends a ton of time helping out writers and giving it to you straight. Priceless, truly.

Most of all, she is a talented author, one who constantly amazes me. Each book is better than the last, and I'm not kidding — Frostfire is the best of the best. If you haven't read her Darkyn or Kyndred series…do. Frostfire also stands alone if you want to start there.

In fact, if you want to start there, I'll help out. Go congratulate Lynn on her release day, and then come back here and comment. I'll give away a copy of Frostfire to three lucky winners.

Contest ends 1/15!

Good luck!!!