Okay, folks. Now that the dust has cleared, the hangovers are cured, and I’ve passed a milestone of birthdays we can now announce the winners of our Kiaras Festivus giveaway. Which author took the lead and was most requested? We’ll soon find out!

Well, we’re up to our final post in our Kiaras Festivus party. In less than a week, the Dreaded Event* will occur and I will console myself with red meat, margaritas, and fried cheesecake. But before that, I would like to introduce you all to the talented Jaye Wells.
Urban fantasy author Jaye Wells is a self-proclaimed ‘plantser‘¹ who lives in Texas with her “saintly husband and devilish son”, the latter of which she fondly refers to as ‘Spawn’. Read the rest of her bio here. Ms. Wells’ second book will …

With seven books and an anthology under her belt – and 2 of those books releasing this year – you’d think that Rob Thurman would almost be a household name. But nay, gentle reader, this is far from the truth. Ms. Thurman – and it is Ms. Thurman, sorry to disappoint you – needs our help! I’d say this is probably the most under-rated author in the urban fantasy genre today. She does amazing work, folks.

We’re overdue for our first Kiaras Festivus post, folks, so let’s get started! To refresh your memory, this February we’re focusing on three brilliant but under-appreciated authors who have new releases in February and March. This week we’re shining the spotlight on Diana Rowland.

Welcome to Festivus Kiaras – or the Festival Known as the Month-Long Celebration Before My Birthday! Yes, that’s right – it’s my birthday and I’m hitting a milestone this year. Although. I’m still maintaining that I’m turning 25 (for the 5th time, of course). Shh… I won’t tell if you won’t.
And in grateful recognition of no one mentioning my real age, I’m going to give away a few books. Yes, that’s right. It’s my birthday but I’m going to give you the gifts!
I also thought it was high time that …

Just Another Judgement Day is book 9 of The Nightside series which follows the exploits of private investigator John Taylor as he uses his supernatural gifts to solve cases in the Nightside.

If you’re unfamiliar with this series, here’s a blurb from the book:
In the Nightside, that sour secret hidden heart of London, it’s always three o’clock in the morning and the dawn never comes. Streets full of sin and cellars full of suffering, magic in the air and mystery around every corner; hot neon, hotter music, and the hottest scenes …

What do you mean, you weren’t planning on giving books as gifts this year? Haven’t you heard that the economy is crappy? Put down that overpriced sweater and hie thee to your local bookstore ASAFP, people! A book is the perfect gift: they’re cheap, they’re portable. They’re easy to wrap.

I discovered the first volume of this engaging trilogy a year or so ago. Aptly titled The Looking Glass Wars, it caught my attention both because of the unique steampunk-y robots on the cover, and because I’ve always loved the story of Alice In Wonderland. Who wouldn’t want to fall down the rabbit hole – if only for a little while?

Soulless is the first book in the new Parasol Protectorate series, and is Gail Carriger’s debut novel. I’ve had this release on my ‘to-buy’ list for months. The Victorian Era is very big right now, and I’m extremely interested to see what authors are doing with it. I wasn’t at all disappointed with the unique twists in this one.

Oh, Ms. Thurman how you have confounded and delighted me through the course of your published works. For your first three published novels I was convinced you were male. This is probably not surprising, given your choice of abbreviating your name.