I'm in...

...SPAIN!

I'll be back August 10th. I have scheduled a few posts during the time I will be away, but don't expect a lot of activity here. You can, however, expect a post with photos when I come back (if you're interested)! I'll check my email regulary, so if you need to reach me before then: email me!

Contests around the Blogosphere (Week 29)

Blog Follower Appreciation Month, Giveaway #3 @ Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!
Two winners get three books each!

Win 7 ARCs @ Carol's Prints
Torment, Halo, Personal Demons and more! Ends August 9. International?

20 Followers Giveaway @ Sparkling Reviews
More followers = More winners! Ends August 10. International?

Win View From The Top @ The Hiding Spot
Ends August 13.

100 Followers Giveaway @ The Norwegian Book Girl
At least 3 winners with some really anticipated books to choose from! Ends August 27

2011 YA Releases Giveaway @ La Femme Readers
6 winners - one 2011 release each. Ends September 2.

Waiting on Wednesday (7/28)

Title: Almost To Die For: A Vampire Princess from St. Paul
Author: Tate Hallaway
Release Date: August 3rd, 2010

On her sixteenth birthday, Anastasija Parker's present winds up being the shock of a lifetime. When her mom referred to her absentee dad as a deadbeat it was actually half true -- he's a vampire. And a king, no less. A king who wants his daughter to assume her rightful position at his side. But, thanks to Ana's mother, the blood of a witch also runs through her veins....

Too bad vampires and witches are mortal enemies.

With her parents gearing up for an all out brawl over her destiny, Ana's about ready to scream. But things get even crazier when a male witch and a brooding bad boy vampire start vying for her affection. Then the barely leashed tension between the vampires and the witches starts to boil over, and Ana has to figure out once and for all if she wants to become heir to her dad's throne. And deciding your eternal destiny is a pretty big deal for a girl who just wants to get through high school.


Yeah, I know another vampire series? This one sounds good though, doesn't it?

Book Review: Blood Feud

Title: Blood Feud
Series: The Drake Chronicles (Book 2)
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Published: June 2010

Description: The action and romance continue as the Drakes face a new vampire with a 200-year-old grudge. It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.

This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles—told from both Logan’s and Isabeau’s perspectives—has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that readers loved in Hearts at Stake, as well as exciting new revelations about the vampire dynasties to keep readers coming back for more.

My thoughts: If you are an old follower, you might remember that I LOVED Hearts At Stake, the first book in this series. I thought the story, and especially the main characters, were amazing. So when I heard that Blood Feud was told from Logan Drake's and Isabeau's perspective, I was a bit worried that I wouldn't get to see my beloved Hearts at Stake characters again! I didn't have to worry though - all 4 make appearances in Blood Feud, and some of the funniest moments in the book involve Lucy and Nicholas (no surprise there - those two are hilarious!)

But what did I think of Logan and Isabeau, the new main characters? I liked them, didn't love them as much as I love Nicholas and Lucy, but I really enjoyed reading about them! It was really interesting to read about "both" Isabeau's lives. Her life in France and England during the French Revolution - and her new life as a Hound. This gave me a great insight into Isabeau's character, and I understood why she had a hard time trusting people, and why she wanted Greyhaven and Montmarte dead. The only problem I had with Logan and Isabeau were their appearances. When I read I like to picture the main characters in my head, but the way the main characters in this book wasdescribed, I couldn't get a clear picture in my head. Isabeau for example is wearing a leather tunic, and lots of bone beads in their hair. In my mind, the picture of Tia Dalma from Pirates of the Carribean kept popping up every time I read about Isbeau.

Tia Dalma. Isabeau probably doesn't look anything like this, but that's the picture I get of her in my mind.

The vampire society, and the different kind of vampires, were expained more thourough in this book. When I read Hearts at Stake, I got confused by terms like Helios Ra and The Hounds, but after Blood Feud, I have good knowledge of vampire politics and the vampire world.

Finally, I have to say that the Drake's most be the funniest family in literature since the Weasley's!

Rating: 4 of 5

Previous books in this series:
Hearts At Stake (2009)

In My Mailbox (week 29)

In My Mailbox- hosted by The Story Siren


Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth

Zach Barrows is an ambitious young White House staffer whose career takes an unexpected turn when he's partnered with Nathaniel Cade, a secret agent s...more Zach Barrows is an ambitious young White House staffer whose career takes an unexpected turn when he's partnered with Nathaniel Cade, a secret agent sworn to protect the President. But Cade is no ordinary civil servant. Bound 140 years ago by a special blood oath, Nathaniel Cade is a vampire. He battles nightmares before they can break into the daylight world of the American dream, enemies far stranger - and far more dangeorus - than civilians have ever imagined.

Blood Oath is the first in a series of novels featuring Nathaniel Cade, the President's vampire.

What did you get this week?

Help needed!

Recently I won a $15AUD voucher to CD Wow! from Books a la Carte (yay! Thank you!)
The problem is that I can't decide what to buy - and there's where you, my lovely readers come in! Would you please help me decide?

Here's what I'm deciding among so far:



Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Life Swap/Sophomore Switch by Abby McDonald
Dark Visions Bind-up by L. J. Smith


So, have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think? Which would you recommend/not recommend? Which book do you think I should buy?
Every thought is appreciated!

You can also or browse the site here. Maybe you'll find a book you think I HAVE to read!

Thank you!! :)

Movie Review: Eclipse

A few days ago, I finally went to see Eclipse! For some reason, I haven't been as excited to see this movie, as I was before watching Twilight and New Moon. Anyways, the movie was good! It wasn't as funny as New Moon or Twilight, but it was very well made. I figure you all know what the movie is about, so I won't make a long review post, just share some of my highlights (+) and lowlights (-) from the movie, along with some things that bugged me or left me wondering (?).

Highlights:

+ JACOB! I smiled widely every time he appeared on the screen. Also - he had his shirt on like three times in the entire movie.

+ EMMETT! He's funny! I loved when he & Bella almost flirted and Rosalie got pissed :p. More Emmett in the next movie please!

+ THE PACK. They are all soo funny (ok maybe not Leah) and I love the way they joke around and treat each other like brothers.

+ The "vampire SPEED" - it actually looked like the Cullen's ran super fast!

Lowlights:

- BREE Tanner. Stephenie Meyer wrote an entire novella about her. In the movie? I'm not sure if she said anything, or just screamed. More about her would have been fun!

- The RIPPING-vampires-apart stuff. That was not like I had imagined it at all. It looked like they were smashing porcelain pots!

- The part with ROSALIE's back story was interesting, but she did not look like she belonged at that time at all!

- What's up with JASPER's haircut? He looks silly.

?

? Am I the only one bugged with Bella's different sized and different shaped EYES?

? Why did they film Edward from the side during the entire movie? His EAR bugged me...

? Was it only me, or did Edward SPARKLE through his shirt in the end of the movie? Or did he just have a sparkling shirt on?

Waiting on Wednesday (7/21)

Title: Take Me There
Author: Carolee Dean
Release Date: July 20

Sometimes sexy, sometimes sad, and always intense, Take Me There is a dark and surprising novel about a boy on the run who's headed nowhere fast.

Dylan has a bad-boy past and a criminal record. He knows that rich, beautiful Jess is way too good for him—but she has always been the one person who sees through his tough exterior and straight to his heart, and he has been hopelessly in love with her from the first time they met. He would change his life for a chance with her.

But trouble follows Dylan wherever he goes, and a deadly mistake soon forces him to hit the road and leave his dreams behind. He’s on the run and in search of answers—answers to questions he wishes he’d never asked.

Why do I want to read this book?
Did you just read that synopsis? Did you look at the cover?

Cover Combat: Heather Wells Mysteries

In Cover Combat I compare Swedish covers to the US and/or UK covers of the same books. Today, I'm comparing the covers of The Heather Wells mysteries byMeg Cabot.

US covers:



Swedish covers:



While the US books are marketed for adults, this series is marketed for teens in Sweden, and you can totally tell that by the covers!
I've got to choose the Swedish covers, they're so fun and silly!


Is this a US or Swedish win for you?

Book Review: Tempted

Title: Tempted
Series: House of Night (Book 6)
Author: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
Published: 2009

Description: Zoey needs a break after some serious excitement. Sadly, the House of Night school for vampyres doesn't feature breaks on its curriculum - even for a High Priestess in training and her gang. Plus juggling three guys is no stress reliever, especially when one is a sexy Warrior so into protecting Zoey that he's sensing her emotions. Wider stresses lurk too, and the dark force in Tulsa's tunnels is spreading. Could Stevie Rae be responsible for more than a group of misfit fledglings? And Aphrodite's visions warn Zoey to stay away from the immortal Kalona and his dark allure - but they also show that only Zoey can stop him. She's not exactly keen to meet up, but if Zoey doesn't go to Kalona he'll exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. She just has to find the courage to do what's necessary, or everything that's important to her will be destroyed.

My Thoughts: The House of Night series must be one of the most uneven series out there! There have been both books I hated, and books I loved (ok, that might be exaggerated, books I really liked) in the series - and I never know what to expect next, a dull story, or a action-filled fast-paced book?

Tempted lands somewhere in between. I liked reading from both Zoey's, Stevie Rae's and Aphrodite's perspective.

As House of Night's new high priestess, Zoey has to take more responsibility and be a strong leader for the other kids. This might not be easy at 17, but she's learning from her mistakes and are doing a decent job. And, imagine this, she is actually dealing with her boyfriend problems! She realizes that having 3 possible boyfriends in her life might be one to many!

Stevie Rae is, as the first Red Vampire, unique in every way. Even if Stevie Rae has left her evil days behind, all of the red fledglings haven't and she's not willing to give up on them, even if it means keeping a secret or two from Zoey...
I really liked Stevie Rae's story, and I can't wait to see where it takes her in the future.

If the first 200 pages were good, the ending was amazing! It left me shocked, amazed, and dying to read the next book!

Rating: 4 of 5

Previous books in this series:
Marked
Betrayed
Chosen
Untamed
Hunted

In My Mailbox (week 28)

+ In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren

This week I got:

A Team Jacob T-shirt!

Won from I'd So Rather Be Reading












I also became a member of The Blood Coven, and got some Blood Coven swag!

Contests around the Blogosphere

Your weekly list of international contests!

BEA in a Bag Contest @ Chick Lit Teens
One bag filled with ARCs and goodies! Ends July 17.

Jennifer Echols contest @ Confessions of a Bookaholic!
US residents can win signed books by Jennifer, international residents can win one Echols book of their choice! Ends July 20.

July Debut Contest @ Personal Demons
Win a July release or an ARC of Personal Demons. Ends July 30.

Win The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May and June @ The Hiding Spot Ends July 30.

Summer Celebration Giveaway @ Pure Imagination
Win a bunch of new books! Ends August 6.

Win a book of your choice! @ Book Reviews from Inside an Igloo
Ends August 14.

Paranormal Pre-order Contest @ Books Obsession
Ends August 18.

ARC Giveaway @ 21 Pages
ends August 20
Birthday Giveaway @ Girls Without a Bookshelf
Win sequels! Ends August 31.

Want 10 % off your next book purchase?

I can help you with that!
The Book Depository is turning 6 years old, and is celebrating this with their costumers.
Haven't tried The Book Depository yet? You should! They offer FREE shipping to a lot of countries, and very cheap books. They especially have great deals on pre-orders. You can get Mockingjay for $5.20, Clockwork Angel for $7.50 and Paranormalcy for $8.50 (they are all 50 % off!) - and that is without your 10 % voucher!

So how do you get your 10 % off voucher? Easy peasy,the first 10 people that leave their e-mail address in the comments will soon have their voucher in their mailboxes! :)

Waiting on Wednesday (7/14)

TITLE: Forget You
AUTHOR: Jennifer Echols
RELEASE DATE: July 20

WHY CAN’T YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU FORGET . . . AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER? There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon. But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

Why do I want to read this book?
- It sounds awesome
- Jennifer Echols is one of my favorite authors
- I've read tons of raving reviews of it!

Mini Reviews (IX)

Todays' Mini Reviews post focus on books versus TV shows. One book (LA Candy) is inspired by a reality show (The Hills), the other book I review has made the opposite journey and has been made into a TV show (Lipstick Jungle).


LA Candy - Lauren Barnholdt
As a new fan of The Hills, I couldn't resist reading LA Candy! And - surprisingly - I really enjoyed it! LA Candy is of course heavenly influenced by Lauren Conrad's personal experience in the reality TV world. Jane and Scarlett's story is very similar to Lauren and Heidi's story. Unimaginative perhaps - but also very fascinating. While reading tons of questions like "Did this happen to Lauren too?" and "Who in The Hills is X supposed to be?" popped into my mind.
Even if you aren't a The Hills fan, this book offers a great insight into the reality TV business, and it leaves you wondering just how much in the shows are actually "reality" and how much are set up by the producers?

Rating: 3.75 of 5


Lipstick Jungle - Candace Bushnell
I haven't watched the TV show Lipstick Jungle, so I can't say whether the show stay true to the book or not. I can say however, that Lipstick Jungle offers an interesting insight to the life of successful business women. What does it take to be on top? How much are you willing to sacrifice to become successful? One thing is certain - staying on top is much harder than getting to the top! Just ask Nico, Wendy and Victory - all women, New Yorkers, ambitious, successful and powerful - but not perfect, they all have problems like everyone else...

Rating: 3 of 5

In My Mailbox (week 27)

* Hosted by The Story Siren

From the library:

Changeless by Gail Carriger

Alexia Tarabotti, now Lady Maccon, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears -- leaving her to deal with a regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exorcised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria.

But Alexia is armed with her trusty parasol, the latest fashions, and an arsenal of biting civility. Even when her investigations take her into the backwaters of ugly waistcoats, Scotland, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only a soulless can.

She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it.


Just one book this week, but one I'm excited to read!
Now I'm off to watch the World Cup final - may the best team win!

Cover Combat: Audrey, Wait!

In Cover Combat I compare Swedish covers to the US and/or UK covers of the same books. Today, I'm comparing the covers of Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway.

US cover:




Swedish cover:


Which cover do you prefer?
I love that both covers are colorful! I think the Swedish cover is my favorite, even if the girl looks bodyless ;) Which cover is your favorite?

Waiting on Wednesday (7/7)

Title: The Education of Bet
Author: Lauren Bartaz-Logsted
Release Date: July 12

Bet is sixteen, very intelligent, but only knows as much as her limited education will allow. In Victorian England, girls aren't allowed to go to school.
Will is also 16, and though not related by blood, he and Bet act like brother and sister. In fact, they even look like brother and sister. And though they're both raised under the same roof, by the same kind uncle, Will has one big advantage over Bet: He's a boy, and being a boy means he isn't stuck in the grand house they call home. He gets to go out into the world--to school.
But that's not what Will wishes. He wants to join the military and learn about real life, not what's written in books.
So one night, Bet comes up with a plan. She'll go to school as Will. Will can join the military. And though it seems impossible, they actually manage to pull it off.
But once Bet gets to the school, she begins to realize the education she's going to get isn't exactly the one she was expecting.


I've always been fascinated by the girl-pretends-to-be-a-boy storyline, and this book sounds great!

Read & Watched in June

This is a summary post of all books I have read and reviewed during the last month, plus all movies and TV series I have watched!

Books:

1. S.A.S.S. Heart and Salsa - Suzanne Nelson (Mini Review)
2. From Dead To Worse - Charlaine Harris (Review)
3. Soulless - Gail Carriger (Review)
4. Whisper (Mini Review)
5. The Summoning - Kelly Armstrong (Review)
6. City of Glass - Cassandra Clare (Review)
7. The Second Short Life of Bree Tanner - Stephenie Meyer (Review)
8. Spirit Bound - Richelle Mead (Review)
9. LA Candy - Lauren Conrad (Mini Review)
10. Cat the Vamp - Christina Martine (Review)
11. Lipstick Jungle - Candace Bushnell (Mini Review)

So, 11 books read this month - not that bad! As you can see I still have a few reviews/mini reviews to write, hopefully they'll be up soon!

Movies:

1. The Prince & Me 2
2. US Marshal
3. The Talented Mr. Ripley
4. Sex and the City 2
5. Stormbreaker

I'm a bit obsessed with Alex Pettyfer after watching Stormbreaker, so now I can't wait to watch Beastly!

TV-series:

Angel: Season 1, Episode 1
Roswell: Season 2, Episode 1-11

Any Roswell fans out there? Season 2 is sooo good this far! Much more thrilling than season 1. And isn't Michael the cutest? (Although I liked his hair better in season 1) :P

Book Review: Spirit Bound

Title: Spirit Bound
Series: Vampire Academy (Book #5)
Author: Richelle Mead
Published: 2010

Summary:
Dimitri gave Rose the ultimate choice. But she chose wrong…

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s—and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives beyond the Academy’s iron gates to begin. But Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri, and he's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever.

My Review:
In Spirit Bound the characters of Vampire Academy are definitely growing up and changing.
Rose has always been one of my favorite female characters, but in Spirit Bound she really got on my nerves. She was selfish and annoying and treated people badly.

Rose and Adrian are now in a relationship, but Rose can't let her feelings for Dimitri go, and she's obsessed with the thought of saving him. Poor Adrian loves Rose more than anything and is willing to do anything for her. But Rose hardly notices him, she's so caught up in her thoughts about Dimitri.

After Rose's graduation it finally hits her - she is an adult now. She can't just run off whenever she wants too. When you're working as a guardian you're not allowed any free time, you have to be constantly alert and aware of your surroundings and possible dangers.

In true Vampire Academy spirit, Spirit Bound ended with a cliff-hanger. This time Rose is caught up in a dangerous situation that even she will have a hard time to get out off.

I really look forward to reading The Last Sacrifice, the 6th and final installment. While this has been a great and addictive series, I'm ready to say goodbye.

Rating: 4 of 5

Previous books in this series:
Vampire Academy
Frostbite
Shadow Kiss
Blood Promise

In My Mailbox (week 26)

Bought:

Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey
The action and romance continue as the Drakes face a new vampire with a 200-year-old grudge. It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.




From the library:

Tempted by P.C. CastZoey needs a break after some serious excitement. Sadly, the House of Night school for vampyres doesn't feature breaks on its curriculum - even for a High Priestess in training and her gang. Plus juggling three guys is no stress reliever, especially when one is a sexy Warrior so into protecting Zoey that he's sensing her emotions. Wider stresses lurk too, and the dark force in Tulsa's tunnels is spreading. Could Stevie Rae be responsible for more than a group of misfit fledglings? And Aphrodite's visions warn Zoey to stay away from the immortal Kalona and his dark allure - but they also show that only Zoey can stop him. She's not exactly keen to meet up, but if Zoey doesn't go to Kalona he'll exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. She just has to find the courage to do what's necessary, or everything that's important to her will be destroyed.

I'm really curious to find out whether I'll love Blood Feud as much as Hearts At Stake or not! It's been a while since I read the House of Night series, so hopefully Tempted will be a pleasant surprise!
What did you get this week?

P.S Happy 4th of July to you all!

I've been interviewed!

Do you want to know more about me, and about the place where I live?
Check out this post made by Charlotte from The Book on the Hill, as a part of her Book Blogging Around the World feature!


Thanks for having me up on the hill, Charlotte! :)