Books are my passion and I read a lot of them. On this blog you can read more about all the lovely books that enter my life. Have a book you think I woul enjoy? Please check my review policy.
I do not accept awards since I don't like to highlight just a few bloggers, when there are some many great ones out there.
This is a weekly meme, hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we talk about the books we are dying to read.
I have 3 picks this week. First of all, I am eagerly awaiting the UK edition of Night Starby Alyson Noël and the second book in the Riley series, Glimmer. I met the author a few days ago, as you probably know from my blog, and got the chance to talk a lot with her. And that made me anticipate her books even more. I am always like that, books get a new dimension for me when I have met the author and know more about the books and the work that the author has put down in them. And I love this series.
Night Star continues the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. In this installment, Ever and Damen face down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears—all in the hope of being together forever. Night Star is guaranteed to mesmerize fans and leave them breathlessly awaiting the sixth and final book!
I am also awaiting the release of Wake unto Me, by Lisa Cach. I have already preordered the book.
A haunted castle, a handsome young man dead for four hundred years, one heck of a scary portrait of a witch, and a treasure hunt -- not to mention a princess for a roommate! -- all await 15 year old American girl Caitlyn Monahan when she earns a scholarship to a French boarding school. There are secrets behind the stone walls of Chateau de la Fortune, buried for centuries along with the mystery of who killed Raphael, the charming ghost who visits Caitlyn at night. But as Caitlyn unearths the history of the castle, nothing scares her as badly as the secret she learns about herself, and the reason she was chosen to come to the Fortune School. And nothing breaks her heart as badly as falling in love with a dead guy.
Alyson Noël is in Norway. She arrived yesterday, and will stay until November 30th. And I got the chance to meet her, and not only that, I also did a public interview with her.
Evermore, the first book in the Immortals series, was one of the first books I read in the genres ya and paranormal romance, and one of the main reasons why I started out blogging. I found the book on Amazon.co.uk, loved the cover and the description of the story and preordered it. And when I read the story I knew that this was a series I had to follow. I loved Alyson's writing style and the story of Ever and Damen. It was magical and romantic, dramatic and full of warmth and atmosphere.
This autumn, the first book in the series was published here in Norway,and I have been raving about the books on my Norwegian blog. I also did an interview with Alyson by e-mail prior to the Norwegian release. You can read the interview here. And the book have done great here in Norway. A lot of teenagers and grown ups are buying Evermore and falling in love with it. In 2011, Blue Moon and Shadowland will be out here in Norway.
When I read that Alyson was coming to Norway, I was very excited. It is not everyday we Norwegians get the chance to meet a bestselling American author. I wowed that I was going to attend the booktalk and the signing her Norwegian publisher had set up for her at the House of Literature in Oslo.
A week ago I got a call from her Norwegian publisher, asking if I wanted to be the one to interview her during the booktalk. I could hardly believe my ears, but I said yes of course. I have been working as a journalist here in Norway, that is also one of my educations, but I have never interviewed an author in public, in front of an audience before. I have had butteflies in my stomach all week.
Yesterday I celebrated Thanksgiving with some of my Norwegian friends. We always celebrate thankgiving, because we think it is a great American tradition and a way to get together and remember the year that has gone by. One of my friends is from Britain, so I got to practise my English skills with her all evening.
And today was the big interview and it went well, thanks to Alyson. It was so easy to talk to her. She is such an amazing person, you get that feeling when you read her books, and she is that way in real life too. She is open, warm and not afraid to talk about personal things. It was her first time in Norway, and she has a lot planned. She will attend two signings, and do interviews with the media.
In the interview I focused on The Immortals, and how she got the idea for the series. She told me that the series was born from grief. She lost someone that was close to her, and nearly lost her husband as well. Through Ever she has decribed a lot of the feelings that she delt with.
Ever and Damen are carefully chosen names. She collects unusual names. Damen is actually named after the place where her husband was born.
We talked about the paranormal elements in her books, and she said that she has had some experiences she could not explain - some of them whilst doing the research for The Immortals . She also talked about her childhood, about starting to work very early and about her previois job as a flight attendant. She talked about how her writing day is, her imaginary dog Buttercup and what she does when she has finished a book. ( She used to clean the house, now she goes for a massage or take a pedicure).
There is some major upcoming plans for The Immortals, and you will get the chance to see Ever and Damen's story on a movie or TV Screen some time in the future. If you visit her website in a few days, you will get to read more about it there. She also talked about her last book in The Immortals series, which will be called Everlasting. Alyson is working on a new series, Soul Seekers, which will probably be released sometime in 2012. The story will take place in New Mexico.
We also talked about Miles and Haven and she gave advice to aspiring authors. Afterwards she signed books, and I got a lovely message from her in my copy of Evermore.
It was a great day,and like I said, so nice to meet her. I am also going to meet her tomorrow for another event. And after she has been in Norway, she will travel to Paris.
This meme is hosted by "Breaking the spine", and here we showcase the books we are dying to get our hand on.
My pick this week is: "Dark Flame" by Alyson Noel "Once it seemed being immortal was a gift to Ever Bloom - now it's a curse. And she's a danger to herself. Ever has been dabbling in Magyck - seeking to explore her own powers, hoping to find a future for her relationship with Damen. But she's not in control - in fact, the magyck has bound her eternally to her immortal enemy, Roman. Whenever he's near, she feels his heartbeat, his breath, his blood racing in her veins. Ever is in deep - and the one person who might be able to help her must never find out what she's done . . ." (Description from Play.com)
I love Alyson Noel's books, and since I buy them from the UK I have to wait a bit longer than the residents in the United States to get to read them. I actually got an e-mail that the book was posted today, so hopefully it won't take long before it arrives in my mailbox.
Publisher: HarperCollins UK Format: Paperback Pages: 262 Source: Review copy
" From a fugitive vampire forced to trust a boy who might work for the group bent on destroying her, to the legendary romance of two immortals whose love compels them to risk everything, this exciting, heart-pounding collection brings new meaning to the words "love you forever." Whether you're into romances that are dark and moody or light and fun, these stories will quench that insatiable thirst for enchanting tales of the beautiful undead." ( Description from Amazon.co.uk)
Background: "Kisses from Hell" is an anthology consisting of five short stories from Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy), Alyson Noël (The Immortals), Kristin Cast ( House of Night - series), Kelley Armstrong ( Darkest Powers - series) and Francesca Lia Block (Pretty Dead). All the stories revolve around love and vampires. Harper Collins has earlier published "Prom Nights from Hell" and "Love is Hell".
The Book: "Kisses from Hell" starts with "Sunshine", written by Richelle Mead. The story is part of the universe Mead has created in the "Vampire Academy - series", and focuses on the romance between Eric and Rhea Dragomir, Lissa's parents. The story is well written, but for me it was a bit boring. I never got into it, and my mind kept dwelling on other things than the story I was reading. I suspect that I would have gotten more out of the story if I had read the Vampire Academy - series prior to it, and I will try to read the story again, when I have done that.
The next story is "Bring me to Life" by Alyson Noël. Danika, an American girl, is attending Sunderland Manor Art Academy in England, but the school is not quite what she expects. I am a big fan of Noël's writing and she didn't dissappoint me with "Bring me to Life" either. I loved the story and the atmosphere she creates in it. It is obvious that she is inspired by "Dracula" and "Wuthering Heights", two of my favorite novels. You have characters with names such as Bram and Earnshaw. I read this story late at night when the rain was pooring down outside, and that just added to the atmosphere in the story. I wish "Bring me to Life" was a whole novel, and not just a short story. I would really like to get to know Danika better.
"Above" is the name of Kristin Cast's story, and I have only one word for it: OMG! The story simply blew me away. It is dark, disturbing, bizarre, suspenseful, mysterious and depressing. But also poetic with some glimmers of light and hope. It reads like a poem, and you have to read between the lines to really understand what's going on. I have read the first book in the House of Night - series, but this was nothing like that. This story was spectacular. I want more. The best short story in this book and a story you either love or hate, I suppose.
Kelley Armstrong has written "Hunting Kat", about Katiana from the Darkest Powers series. I read this story while trying to decide if I should put the book away or not. I have the Darkest Powers - series on my shelf, but I have not read it yet and I am afraid this novel had some spoilers. Again, I think this is a read that is best suited for those who know Katiana's story from other books.
"Lilith" by Francesca Lia Block is the last story in the book. A dark tale about Paul Michael, who do not fit in at school and escapes into an imaginary world. One day, a new girl attends school. Her name is Lilith. This was a cute, and at the same time, dark story. I thought it was a bit short, even for a short story. I wanted to read more about Paul Michael and Lilith, and get to know them better. I didn't feel I got under their skin, so to speak.
I have mixed emotions about "Kisses from Hell". I loved two of the stories, but the others didn't appeal to me, but again I think that is because I do not know the series they are part of. I also would have liked the publisher to state that, for example, "Hunting Kat", is based upon another series by Kelley Armstrong so I could have avoided spoilers.
If the anthology only contained the stories by Noël and Cast, it would have gotten full score. But since I only liked two out of three stories, I am giving it 3 books.
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:
This week I want to share the trailer for "Radiance", Alyson Noel's new book, with you. I think the trailer is so sweet:
More about Radiance here: Riley has crossed the bridge into the afterlife—a place called Here, where time is always Now. She has picked up life where she left off when she was alive, living with her parents and dog in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. When she’s summoned before The Council, she learns that the afterlife isn’t just an eternity of leisure. She’s been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher, Bodhi, a possibly cute, seemingly nerdy boy who’s definitely hiding something. They return to earth together for Riley’s first assignment, a Radiant Boy who’s been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed. But all of that was before he met Riley . . .
If anybody knows which blogger is hosting "Trailer Tuesday", please leave a comment. I like to credit the people that are coming up with all the great features I use.
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