Winner: Kate Pearce giveaway

Last sunday I interviewed Kate Pearce, and she was kind enough to let me host a giveaway for her newest book, Kiss of the Rose.


And now the winner have been chosen, using random.org.
And the winner is: Panther 10

Congratulations! Hope you will enjoy this book! Thank you to everyone that participated!

Review: Dark Touch: Shadows by Amy Meredith

Publisher: Red Fox
Format: Paperback
Pages: 240
Source: Book received for review.













" Fifteen-year-old Eve Evergold is cute, sassy and enjoying a busy social life. What she doesn't know yet is that someone close to her is an evil demon that only she has the supernatural power to defeat. She needs to work out who it is - and fast! Because although there's something very attractive about the dark side...dating a demon? Pure hell!"
(Description from Amazon.co.uk)

Background:
This is the first book in a new series aimed at the pre-Twilight age group. The author, Amy Meredith, lives in California, but she has also lived and worked in New York and the Hamptons where the main characters in the Dark Touch - series are from. She has always been fascinated by the supernatural.

Story:
The summer is over, and it is time to get back to school for Eve Evergold and her best friend Jess, in the town of Deepdene. And this autumn, two new boys are also attending school with them. Luke Thompson is the son of the new minister in town, and he is cute and very flirtatious. And there is Mal, smouldering and mysterious Mal, who have just moved into "The Razor place" - a mansion which used to belong to a rockstar and which is said to be haunted. And school has just started, when mysterious things starts to happen in town. Many girls freak out and are sent to psyciatric institutions. There are talk of demons appearing in people's nightmares, and soon Eve must figure out who she can or cannot trust and look into the town's dark history.

Main Character:
Eve Evergold is fifteen years old, and like most teenagers she has a very busy social life. She loves to shop and look at boys and enjoys a comfortable life. But even though her parents has a lot of money, she does not come across as a spoiled brat. She is quite likeable, and I became more and more fascinated by her as the story progressed. The author has managed to make her evolve throughout the story, and from being a carefree and happy girl you can actually see how the events in this book affect her. I love it, when authors manage to do just that. I am looking forward to get to know her better in future books in this series. Eve is a person I would have loved to have as a friend in real life; I am sure she would have made me laugh a lot.

The Book:
Dark Touch, The Shadows is a witty and spooky read. From the opening scene you are thrust into a story full of gothic atmosphere combined with glamorous surroundings. There is romance, riddles, suspense and dramatic events. I got more and more engaged in the book as the story progressed.

The friendship between Jess and Eve are so well described, you have no problem understanding why these two are best friends. They seem to be having so much fun together. "The shoe scale", their weapon for describing how hot a boy is, is hilarious. And there is also a great deal of trust here. Eve would do anything for Jess and Jess would do anything for Eve. They confide in each other and support each other. That's true friendship.

I also like how the author has portrayed Luke and Mal. They are both a bit mysterious and I kept on reading to get to know them better. I am sure they would appeal to the target group of this series.

The book does not require a lot of energy to get into. It is an easy and atmospheric read and I had no problem figuring out some of the riddles in the book. But despite all that, I enjoyed it. Sometimes it is refreshing to read something that does not require a lot of thinking.

Dark Touch, the Shadows is for readers who love the supernatural combined with lighthearted chick lit. A perfect book if you want to relax, get spooked and get in a good mood all at once.

The publisher has also created a beautiful and eye-catching cover that really captures the atmosphere in this book: gothic glamour.

Here are some other reviews you can check out:
So Many Books, So Little Time
Book Chick City
I Was a Teenage Book Geek

Read - a Thon: My Challenge

Welcome to The Dusk Till Dawn Read-A-Thon challenge!

This Read - A - Thon is hosted by Book Crazy and Ya Addict. You can sign up to enter here.
This event is all about reading, and by entering some of the challenges you can also use your creativity and win great prizes. And of course, you can discover some great blogs out there.

I am so happy to introduce you to my challenge:

I have a love for books set in the Victorian era, so my challenge is:
Read a book where the story is set in the Victorian era, and afterwards I want you to write a blog review about it. I will not accept reviews for just a few sentences, the point is to present the book for me and other readers, and outline why ( or why not) we should read it.

Enter by leaving a link to your review in the comment section of this post.

You have until the end of the Read A Thon 29th of August to enter. The winner will be chosen 31th of August by Random.org. One lucky winner will get "By Midnight" by Mia James.

Happy reading everyone.

Review: Kiss of the Rose by Kate Pearce

Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Source: Bought from BookDepository












"First in a sexy new series that takes a bite out of the court of King Henry VIII

Desperate to defeat King Richard III and gain the crown, Henry Tudor made a pact with the Druids binding him and his heirs to the Druids' struggle against vampires. Ever since, the Llewellyns, a vampire- slaying family, have been in the king's employ. Now Henry VIII reigns, and his father's bargain has been almost forgotten-until bloodless corpses turn up in the king's bedchamber. To save the king, Vampire hunter Rosalind Llewellyn must form an uneasy alliance with Druid slayer Sir Christopher Ellis. But soon, Rosalind must face an unthinkable truth: that her sworn enemy may be her soulmate..."
(Description from Amazon)

Background:
"Kiss of the Rose" is the first in a new series called the Tudor Vampire Chronicles. This is a historical paranormal romance series. The basic premise of the series, according to the author, is to focus on one of King Henry VIII's wives in each book. The first book is about Katherine of Aragon.

Story:
To secure the crown of England, king Henry Duke of Richmond, turn to the Druids for help. The Druids agree to help him as long as he agrees to help aid them in their fight against the vampires. And Henry agrees. 44 years later, bodies drained of blood starts showing up and it becomes apparent that King Henry VIII, who now reigns, and his wife. Queen Katherine, may be in danger. Vampire hunter, Rosaling Llewellyn, must form an alliance with Sir Christopher Ellis - a man who comes from a family that has protected the vampires for centuries and Rhys Williams to help protect the king.


Main Character:
Rosalind Llewellyn is a great character. She is the first woman to be born with the mark of Awen, which means that she is entitled to be a vampire slayer. She is strong, has a will of her own and do not need to be dependent on a male. But she is also a lady who knows how to behave. She is fun, energetic and a great protagonist. I liked her very much.

The Book:
I have been looking forward to reading this book. I love vampires and I love Tudor - England, so a book that combines these two sounded like a great read. And I love the cover. It is so hot and sexy.

I loved the beginning of this book, when King Henry forms the bargain with the druids. I was instantly propelled into the story, and I had a hard time putting the book away. I could easily have read the whole thing in one sitting, if I hadn't been so busy lately. I think Kate Pearce has come up with some great and interesting characters and I loved the triangle between Rhys, Christopher and Rosalind. And the love story is of course the main focus in this book, a book that is steaming with passion and sensuality.

Kate Pearce has come up with a original and interesting plot, and with just a little more history and vampire action, this could be really, really great. She is good at greating an atmosphere that draws you in, and you just want to stay in the book untill it is finished. Vampires in the tudortime really worked for me.


Remember to enter my giveaway to win your copy of Kiss of the Rose here.
Read an excerpt here.

Other reviews:
CK2S Kwips and Critiques
Book Soulmates
Single Titles
Fiction Vixen

Kate Pearce: Interview and giveaway

I am so happy to welcome Kate Pearce to my blog. Give her a warm welcome.

Kate is the author of several novels in the romance genre. She was born in England, and has an honors degree in history from the University College of Wales.

After her graduation, she started working in finance but dreamed of being a writer. She fullfilled her dream when she moved to the United States in 2000, and has written under several pseudonyms.



Recently Kate released "Kiss of the Rose". A seductive and thrilling tale about a female vampire slayer set in the Tudortime:

"Desperate to defeat King Richard III and gain the crown, Henry Tudor made a pact with the Druids binding him and his heirs to the Druids' struggle against vampires. Ever since, the Llewellyns, a vampire- slaying family, have been in the king's employ. Now Henry VIII reigns, and his father's bargain has been almost forgotten-until bloodless corpses turn up in the king's bedchamber. To save the king, Vampire hunter Rosalind Llewellyn must form an uneasy alliance with Druid slayer Sir Christopher Ellis. But soon, Rosalind must face an unthinkable truth: that her sworn enemy may be her soulmate..."

Here is Kate's own thoughts about the novel, her writing and her inspirations:


Welcome to my blog, Kate. “Kiss of the Rose” is the first book in a new series that takes places in the court of King Henry VIII. Can you tell us a little about this book?

This book deals with the time period around the breakdown of the marriage between Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon. There is a rogue Vampire afoot who is threatening to kill the king. Rosalind Llewellyn is from a Druid family sworn to protect the Tudors against Vampires, so she arrives at court ready to do her duty and finds the Vampires have brought in a known-Druid killer, Christopher Ellis. To their horror, Rosalind and Christopher have to work together to kill a deadly assassin and find a deep compatibility that leads to all sorts of trouble.

Where did you get the idea to write “Kiss of the Rose”?

Well, the idea of Tudor Vampires was suggested to me, and I kind of took it from there, using my accumulated college knowledge of Tudor politics, archaeology and myths. It was fascinating to try and blend the supernatural elements in with real events.

How long have you been working on this series prior to the release of “Kiss of the Rose” and how many books can we expect in this series?

This all happened very quickly, about a year from concept, to the publication of the first book, (which is fast by NY publishing standards). I’m already committed to writing three books in the series. The second, “Blood of the Rose” comes out in February 2011 and centers around Anne Boleyn. Rosalind and Christopher will be the main characters in the first two books. The third will be about Jane Seymour and I’m currently writing it.

You have written many books before, how many has it been, in total? And do you have any favorites among them?

I think Kiss of the Rose is my fourteenth published book-but I’m not sure. I love all my books because I learned something from writing every single one. But the first books in a series are usually very special because they are so new and exciting to write. I’m still very proud of Simply Sexual for Kensington Aphrodisia and of course, Kiss of the Rose. I’m lucky to get the opportunity to write different heat levels and time periods which helps keep my writing fresh.

How is a normal writing day for you, and when and where do you write?

I have 4 kids still at home and even though two of them are fairly independent, I’m still constantly monitoring activity, driving the other two to school, and generally trying to be a good mother. I write when the house is quiet during school hours which usually means between about 10 and 2. I also have to fit in the editing, proof reading and promo stuff as well.

What do you do if you need any inspiration during the writing process?

I like to read other types of fiction. I find that very inspiring and I like to get out of the house and walk and breathe.

Is there any real myths concerning the Tudor Dynasty and vampires, or is the lore you use in this series all made up?

Great question. One of the most surprising things about the Tudors is that they came to power in the first place. That was a great starting place to add a bit of magic to the surprise defeat of King Richard III by Henry VII. And another interesting fact was that even during her life, Anne Boleyn was accused of being a witch. I tried to research as much as I could about the Druids, the Tudors, and the Mithras Cult, which are obviously all documented and then I added a little paranormal twist to what we really knew.

Vampires are everywhere these days, it seems. What makes the Tudor Vampire Chronicles different from other series about vampires?

Well, my Vampires spring from an ancient and deadly division amongst the Druids, so I was able to create a conflict from that rather than focusing on what everyone else had done. I thought it was important to make them my own.

What do you associate with Norway? Ever been here?

Hmm... Norway, Fishing, Winter Olympics, Eurovision song contest, long winter nights, Vikings. From that list you' ll probably guess that I've never been there, but that I am originally from the UK.

Do you have any favorite authors?

I have many, including Linda Howard, Diana Gabaldon, Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen, Catherine Asaro, Rosemary Sutcliff, Dorothy Dunnett. I could go on for days,

Which books are you looking forward to read this autumn?

Larissa Illone, Christine Feehan and anything else that appeals to me. I love to read.

And last: Is there anything you would like to say to all the readers out there?

Just keep on reading and enjoying books. We need you. We really do.
Thanks so much for having me!

Thank you so much for taking the time, Kate Pearce.

Be sure to visit Kate on her website and blog.
You can also follow her on twitter.

Kiss of the Rose is a steaming romance novel with a great twist. I will be back with a review shortly. And you could get the opportunity to read the book as well. Kate Pearce will send one copy of her book to one happy reader. All you have to do is follow these instructions:

1. Fill out the form below. You do not have to give me your real name and address now, but we will need it to send you the book should you win. You do not have to be a follower to enter.

2. Answer Kate's question by leaving your comment: What was the first romance novel you read?

3. The contest is international. One winner will be chosen by Random.org. The contest will close at August 27th. The winner will be announced at August 30th.

4. You must be 16 years or older to enter.

WOW: The Replacement

Waiting on Wednesday (WOW) is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we showcase the books we are dying to get our hands on.

My pick this week is "The Replacement" by Brenna Yovanoff

" Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world. Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.Edward Scissorhands meets The Catcher in the Rye in this wildly imaginative and frighteningly beautiful horror novel about an unusual boy and his search for a place to belong."
(Description from Amazon.com)

I have read some great reviews for this book, and it seems like the kind of book I would really enjoy. I am so looking forward to it.

Here is the booktrailer:



And another:

I am featured in "Better Know a Blogger"

Today I am featured in "Better Know a Blogger" at Karen's blog "For What It's Worth". She is co - hosting The Ultimate Reviewers Challenge this month.

I am so happy to be a part of that. You bloggers are so creative. There are so many great events out there, and this is one of them. So make sure you check it out. There are great prizes to be won and a lot of surprises. So start reviewing today and join the challenge :)

In My Mailbox (3)

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where we share the books we got in the mail last week. I had an awesome week, and I also got my first copies for review!

Here is what I got:

For review:
Lauren Kate: Torment
Amy Meredith: Dark Touch: The Shadows
Amy Meredith: Dark Touch: The Hunt

Even though I knew they were coming, I actually had to pinch my arm when I saw them in my mailbox. I am so looking forward to read all of them. I have already started reading "The Shadows" and so far I am enjoying it! And I love the cover. It is so pretty:


Thank you Random House for sending me these.

Bought:
Kate Pearce: Kiss of the Rose.
James Herbert: Creed
James Herbert: The Fog
James Herbert: The Magic Cottage
James Herbert: Moon
James Herbert: Fluke
James Herbert: The Jonah
James Herbert: The Dark

Kate Pearce will be stepping by my blog for an interview soon, and she is also going to give away a copy of "Kiss of the Rose" - so keep your eyes open for that.

BookDepository sold a lot of cheap James Herbert - books, so I endes up with quite a few. I love a good horror - story, and when autumn comes and the darkness wraps ut the evenings, it is a perfect time to enjoy something scary.

I also got some Norwegian books, by Norwegian authors.

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Alyson Noel Interview

Today I am very happy to welcome Alyson Noel to both my blogs. Give her a warm welcome!


It is a special day today, because "Evermore" is released in Norway in Norwegian translation this weekend. I am so excited about that. Alyson Noel's series is pure magic. It is one of my favorites, and I hope the Norwegian readers, who haven't read her yet, will also embrace it.


Here is the Norwegian cover:




I interviewed Alyson in June, the interview was aimed at the Norwegian readers. Here is what she told me:

Thanks a lot for accepting this interview, Alyson Noel. You have written 4 books in the Immortals series so far, and they have all been well received. How does that feel?

It feels like a dream come true! Prior to THE IMMORTALS I’d written seven contemporary novels—six for teens, one for adults—and with EVERMORE being my first attempt at paranormal I wasn’t sure how it would be received, so I was completely thrilled to see the way that readers have embraced it!

How would you describe the series to someone who hasn’t heard of it yet?

I would say that it’s an exciting, romantic, paranormal tale of alchemy, reincarnation, mystical dimensions, immortals, ghosts, auras, and chakras, and two star-crossed lovers, Ever and Damen, who’ve traveled across time—across continents—to be together, only to be thwarted each time. But now that they’ve found each other again, they’re determined to overcome all of their obstacles to realize the happily ever after they’ve sought through the centuries.

Where did you get the idea for the Immortals?

THE IMMORTALS was born form grief. Five years ago I lost three people I loved in five months, and shortly after that almost lost my husband to leukemia (he’s in full remission now). Experiencing that sort of intense grief and fear got me thinking a lot about life and death, mortality and immortality, and the binds that tie us to our loved ones even after they’re gone, and Ever and Damen’s story was born from there.

How many books can we expect about Ever and the Immortals?

There will be six books in total. I’m working on the final book now.

How do you go about when you develop a character?

I usually start with a premise—a sort of “what if” scenario—then I come up with a character who is not at all ready to handle the situation and challenge she’ll find herself in, then I create a cast of allies and enemies, then I watch them all grow and change as we head off on the journey!

How is a normal writing day for you and when and where do you write?

I have a home office that I head for each morning, and I pretty much stay there all day, drinking green tea, answering e-mail, twittering, facebooking, myspacing, and, of course, writing! I aim for 2000-3000 words a day, sometimes I’m able to accomplish it in a few hours, sometimes it takes all day, but I don’t stop until I hit it. I keep to this routine seven days a week, including most holidays.

Do you do a lot of research and planning before you sit down to write?

Research is one of my favorite parts of the process, and for THE IMMORTALS I did a lot of it. I read a lot of books on metaphysics, reincarnation, near death experiences, auras, chakras, ghosts, mediums, psychics, crystals—you name it—I also took a three-day psychic development class with world famous medium, James Van Praagh, and I went under hypnosis in several past life regressions as well. All of which was fun and fascinating and revealing, and most of which helped create the world of the books.

You deal with a lot of paranormal subjects, such as life after death, mediums, reading people’s auras etc. Do you believe in the supernatural yourself?

I definitely believe there is more to the world than what we are used to seeing!

“Radiance”, the first book in the spinoff series featuring Riley, Ever’s sister, is coming out in august. Why did you feel like writing a whole new series about her?

Riley was so much fun to write, that she actually ended up with a much bigger role in EVERMORE than I originally anticipated. So when I was approached to create a series told from Riley’s point of view, I jumped at the chance and I’m so glad I did. Writing RADIANCE turned out to be some of the most fun I’ve ever had while writing a book, so I really hope readers enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Is there any authors or books that have inspired or influenced your writing?

Judy Blume’s books inspired me to become a writer, JD Salinger’s books inspired me to keep at it.
Has the Immortals been optioned for television or film yet?

We are in negotiations now for something that could turn out to be extremely exciting . . . my fingers are crossed!

What do you associate with Norway? Ever been here?

I have never been to Norway (yet!) but when I think of Norway I imagine pristine landscapes made of clear blue skies and sparkling waters, the artist Edward Munch, delicious sea food, and beautiful, friendly people—someday I hope to find out if I’m right!

Anything more you would like to add?

I’d just like to thank my Norwegian readers for all of their enthusiasm and support of THE IMMORTALS series—it really means the world to me, thank you!

Thank you so much, Alyson, for taking the time to do this. I am honored to have you on both my blogs today, and I wish you the best for the series about Riley.

If you haven't read The Immortals yet, I suggest you do so. It is really good. I love, love, love it!

Radiance is scheduled for release August 31th. I can't wait to get my hands on that book.

You can visit Alyson Noel's website here.
And here is her blog.






Let's finish off with the trailer for Radiance. It is so beautifully made, and I love it:

WOW: Enchanted Ivy

Waiting on Wednesday (WOW) is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we showcase the books we are dying to get our hands on.


My pick this week is Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst.

What Lily Carter wants most in the world is to attend Princeton University just like her grandfather. When she finally visits the campus, Grandpa surprises her: She has been selected to take the top-secret Legacy Test. Passing means automatic acceptance to Princeton. Sweet!

" Lily's test is to find the Ivy Key. But what is she looking for? Where does she start? As she searches, Lily is joined by Tye, a cute college boy with orange and black hair who says he's her guard. That's weird. But things get seriously strange when a gargoyle talks to her. He tells her that there are two Princetons—the ordinary one and a magical one—and the Key opens the gate between them. But there are more secrets that surround Lily. Worse secrets.

When Lily enters the magical Princeton, she uncovers old betrayals and new dangers, and a chance at her dream becomes a fight for her life. Soon Lily is caught in a power struggle between two worlds, with her family at its center. In a place where Knights slay monsters, boys are were-tigers, and dragons might be out for blood, Lily will need all of her ingenuity and courage—and a little magic—to unite the worlds and unlock the secrets of her past and her future."

On My Wishlist (1)

This is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City, where we list the books we really, really want, but haven't bought yet. The books can be old, new and/or forthcoming.

I always have a lot of books on my wishlist, here is a selection of some of them:



Name: Gideon Redoak
Publisher: By Light Unseen Media
Pages: 220 Pages
Published: 1.08.2009










" Starred Review. It's a great shame that Fraser (1957–2008) didn't live to see the publication of this impressive dark fantasy debut, which introduces a stirring classic vampire. Baron Gideon Redoak is the gay son of a Puritan living in 1641 Shrewsbury, England. At age 19, he's seduced, turned and abused by Etienne Corbeau, a sadistic vampire who eventually buries him alive (or undead). Evan Jones, a Welshman with superhuman abilities, digs Gideon up at the behest of Le Societé des Gardiens, vampires who don't believe in killing. Over the next several centuries, Gideon learns much of love and grief as he and Evan join a group of druids in battling the evil vampires. Fraser keeps the pages turning with brisk pacing and a thoughtful, sensitive portrayal of Gideon's struggles with Corbeau and his inner puritanical demons."

I love a good vampire - story, and the description of this one really got my attention.

Name: Soulless
Publisher: Little Brown & Company
Pages: 384
Published: 7.01.2010













" Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette. Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire - and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate. With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Or will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart? SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking."
(From Book Depository)

Again, a story about vampires. This one is also set in Victorian London, one of my favorite time periods to read about. I have heard a lot of great things about this series.

Name: Heavenly
Publisher: Grove Creek Publishing
Pages: 294
Published: 15.08.2009















" I met someone who changed everything. Matthias. My autistic sister's guardian angel. Honest. Inspiring. Funny. Hot. And immortal. That was the problem. What could I do? I did what any other girl would do-I fell in love with him. Zoe's sister darts in front of cars. Her brother's a pothead. Her parents are so overwhelmed; they don't see Zoe lost in her broken life. Zoe escapes the only way she knows how: partying. Matthias, a guardian sent from Heaven, watches over Zoe's autistic sister. After Zoe is convinced he's legit, angel and lost girl come together in a love that changes destiny. But Heaven on Earth can't last forever."
(From Amazon)

This one went straight to my WishList when I read this amazing review.

What's on your wishlist this saturday?

Blue Moon by Alyson Noel

Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Pages: 384 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought from Play












"Things have changed for Ever since she met her beloved Damen - not least because she's got a whole new set of powers, courtesy of her new Immortal status. Just as she's getting stronger, though, Damen seems to be weakening. Panicked at the thought of losing him, Ever finds a path to the in-between world known as Summerland, where she learns the secrets of Damen's tortured past. But in searching for a cure for him, Ever accidentally discovers a way to twist time so she can save her family from the accident that killed them. It's all she's ever wanted - but so is Damen. And Ever must choose between them..."
(Description from BookDepository)

Background:
Alyson Noel's The Immortals has been a big success since the publication of "Evermore" in 2009. Only in the US has 2. million copies of her books been printed. The books have been published in 35 countries and has won many awards. Alyson Noel is planning on writing six books in this series, number six is due out in 2011.

Main Character:
Ever is a sweet and innocent girl, I instantly liked her when I read the first book. And she has grown from the first book. But even though she is an immortal, she still experiences all the normal teenage stuff. Many teenagers will relate to her. One of the things I did not like about this book, is the fact that it is sometimes hard to comprehend why Ever acts the way she does. She makes some choices during this book, which I simply cannot understand. These choices are in no way significant with the Ever character I read about in the first book, Evermore.

The Story:
Ever's life has been turned upside down since she met Damen, but just when is seems that fate is smiling down on them - everything starts to change. Ever's friends turn their back on her, and even Damen pulls away. After a while, it is revealed that Damen is sick and that there actually is a possibility that he might die. Ever must make some horrible choices to try to save her one, true love.

The Book
I loved Alyson Noel's first book, "Evermore", and I think it is refreshing to read her books. There isn't any demons or vampires present here. I mean, I love to read about demons and vampires, do not mistake me, but sometimes it is ok with other storylines. Alyson Noel has created an original and interesting universe, where magick and the meaning of life is some of the central things.

The relationship between Ever and Damen has main focus, but they are not the most interresting characters in this book. Roman is the one that fascinated me the most. He is secretice and draped in shroud, and little is revealed about him until the end of the book.

"Blue Moon" has a lot of romance, and this series can give you associations to Romeo & Juliet mixed with magick and mystic. It is the perfect series for young girls.

You can visit Alyson Noel's website here.

Other reviews:
Karins Book Nook
The Bibliophilic Book Blog
The Story Siren

Award and new book in contest

I have gotten an award:

I got the award from Brenda, Maidenveil and Jazz R.J.
Thank you so much, both of you. I really appreciate it.

Here is seven things about me:
1. I love stormy weather and rain, since that gives me a good excuse to curl up in my reading chair and read, and not think about all the things I should have done in the garden.
2. I love shabby chic
3. I dream about a big library with chesterfield furniture.
4. I love to listen to prog, power metal and bands like Nightwish, Within Temptation and Kamelot
5. I am addicted to smoothies.

The point is to pass this award along to 15 bloggers, but I think it is so hard to choose among all the fantastic bloggers that are out there. That's why I don't do so well with awards. But I would like to thank the bloggers that gave me this award, and please don't think ill of me even though I don't pass it along to others. My list of great bloggers are just to big.

And now, to the contest:

I have currently 158 followers. That means that one more winner will be chosen on 27th of August and one more book is added to the books that are up for grabs. The book I have added this time, is one that was suggested to me in a comment:
This is the paperback edition of the book.

Thank you so much everyone that has participated in the contest.

Trailer Tuesday (3)

This weeks trailer is for the book "Girl Stolen" by April Henry:

"Sixteen year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription at the pharmacy. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, their car is being stolen--with her inside! Griffin hadn’t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, all he needed to do was steal a car for the others. But once Griffin's dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. What Griffin doesn’t know is that Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia, she is blind. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare, and if she does, at what price?"

Sounds like a pretty thrilling read:

Check out "The Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge"

Karen at Karens Addictions, Tiger at Tigers All Consuming Books, and Lena at Addicted 2 Novels are co-hosting an event throughout the month of August called the Ultimate Reviewers Challenge. Everyone can participate and there are nize prizes involved for the winners. The blogs will also feature interviews of bookbloggers.

You can join by clicking here.

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where we showcase the books that arrived in our mailbox the previous week.

I got a whole bunch of books, most of them are textbooks I am going to use in the literature studies this autumn, but there was also two pearls among them:
Maggie Stiefvater: Shiver
Maggie Stiefvater: Linger

I have heard so many great things about this books, I can't wait to actually read them.

What did you get in your mailbox?