Saturday Snapshot: Instagram

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce @ AT Home With Books.

Share your photos with us! They can be old or new but should be taken by you!

I´ve just found something really funny called Instagram and you can do so much fun stuff with your pictures using Instagram!
So this is what I did with some pictures I´ve taken around my town.

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TGIF - Best I´ve read so far!

This Friday´s question over at G-reads:

which top 3 books are the best you’ve read so far this year?

I don´t think I´ve ever been so happy it´s friday!

The best three?

I think I have three books I really loved:

The Willow´s haven by Hope Collier (goodreads)

This is a must read in my opinion

Night sky by Jolene B Perry (goodreads)

This is such a wonderful and touching story

Huanted by Dana Michelle Burnett (goodreads)

This is the second book in spiritus series! And it´s amazing, as is the first one! Who doesn´t love a great ghost story?

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Moa blog tour, book review: Moa by Tricia Stewart Shiu

Hosted by: Novel publicity
Author: Tricia Stewart Shiu
Title: Moa
Series: Moa  #1
Genre: Young adult, paranormal
Purchase: Amazon
My rating:

About the book:

Hillary Hause is not a witch. But, everyone in her conservative small town thinks so. When she is given a trip to Hawaii for graduation, this energetic eighteen-year-old anticipates adventure but gets more than she bargained for when Moa, an ancient Hawaiian spirit, pays her an unexpected visit.

With the help of her older sister, Molly and her seven-year-old niece, Heidi, Hillary embarks on a journey in which she not only saves herself, her family and Moa, but also the Hawaiian Islands. In the end, she learns to accept herself and her spiritual gifts warts and all.

My thoughts:

I think this might be the first time I rate a book this low, but it is my honest opinion. The Author writes in first and in third person. It is quite confusing and it irritated me a lot. When it is in first person it is from MOA´s perspective but she is more of an observer and that makes it hard to really relate to her. When it is written in third person it is also through the eyes of MOA as an observer, and that makes it hard to relate to Hillary. 

So We have two big characters that you can´t relate to. You never get a feel of the feelings, desieres and thoughts of either MOA or Hillary and I need that when I read. I need to feel like I am inside the character´s head.

The story is kind of slow and I felt like I was waiting most of the book for the book to begin. There was not really all that much action in this one. But even though the story is kind of slow in it´s pace the characters change their minds really fast. The sister Molly for an example is very much against magic and everything spiritual but accept it and their quest right away with almost no protests? That didn´t really feel all that believable.

No this book was not for me at all but perhaps for some of our younger readers, because this book felt like a really light YA.  It is readable but not more, not for me anyway.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Moa and Statue of Ku eBook editions have both been dropped to just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing either of these fantastic books at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $600 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of each book.

All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copies of Moa and Statue of Ku for just 99 cents
2. Enter the Rafflecopter contest on Novel Publicity
3. Visit today’s featured social media event

About Moa: Eighteen-year-old, Hillary, anticipates adventure as she embarks for trip to Honolulu, but gets more than she bargained for when Moa, an ancient Hawaiian spirit, pays her an unexpected visit. Get it on Amazon.

About Statue of Ku: The second book in the Moa Book Series, "The Statue of Ku" follows Hillary and Moa as they jet to Egypt on the Prince’s private plane to reclaim Moa’s family heirloom, the inimitable statue of Ku. Get it on Amazon.

About the author: Tricia Stewart Shiu combines her addiction to the written word with her avid interest in the healing arts and all things metaphysical in her novels Moa and Statue of Ku and looks forward to finding new ways to unite her two loves. Visit Tricia on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

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MOA Blog Tour: Guest post by Tricia Stewart Shiu

Please enjoy this guest post by Tricia Stewart Shiu, author of the paranormal YA novel with a literary bent Moa. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including $6000 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, 5 autographed copies of Moa, and 5 autographed copies of its sequel, Statue of Ku.

The Story Behind Moa
by Tricia Stewart Shiu

I've always loved Hawaii and was thrilled when my husband booked a visit for us to see his relatives in Honolulu, Hawaii in October of 2006. We packed light and brought our daughter, who was three-years-old at the time.

Our condo was close to parks and monuments that oozed history. We enjoyed wandering around and indulging in the local cuisine. I even tried poi and liked it!

The morning after we arrived, I rose early to push my daughter’s stroller through the quiet, cool morning air. It felt like such a gift to experience Honolulu before the rest of the island was up.

After a hearty island breakfast, we headed out for a morning at our favorite sandy reprieve, Kuhio Beach. The water was calm and protected by a breakwater. Our daughter enjoyed digging and splashing and my husband and I sat sit nearby without worrying about the strong current.

Afterward, we headed back to our condominium, ate a light lunch, and took a luxurious siesta. Although I'm not usually a mid-day napper, the fresh sea air and sun lulled me into a light sleep—the kind where I felt like I was awake, but I was actually deeply asleep.

I heard a voice say my name and a part of me awoke. I use the word “part” because I could definitely feel my body touching the soft material on the couch. And yet, another part was keenly aware of a young woman with dark hair standing over me. It felt real, but dream-like, so I decided to go with it and ask her her name.

She pronounced a long Hawaiian string of letters, which seemed to go on for minutes. After repeating the name three or four times, she told me to call her “Moa.” Through my exhausted, sleepy haze, I remember being skeptical. If this was, indeed, a dream, I would ask as many questions as possible. So I did.

Why was she here? Where did she come from? How could I be sure she was who she claimed to be?

Instead of any answers, she flashed a mental picture of a woman and said that she was a long lost friend of my husband’s. She told me her name and explained that my husband’s family and she had lost touch 15 years before and had been orbiting around one another trying to reconnect.

I awoke from that nap, slightly groggy. That was an indication that I was definitely asleep. Perhaps it was just my creativity kicking into overdrive, I reasoned, and decided to go on with my day. We walked to a park with my daughter and began playing. Suddenly, there was a squeal and my husband and I turned to see the woman from my dream charging toward us with her arms stretched out wide. As she spoke, I tried to gather my wits. Here was the same woman from my dream, someone I’d only seen a mental picture of, and she was standing on the grass right in front of me.

She and my husband exchanged numbers and promised to keep in touch. For the next few hours, I tried to make sense of what happened. I had never had an experience like this before, but there was no denying that I saw a picture in a dream before I met someone and then they showed up in real life.

When I went to sleep that evening, Moa visited again. She answered the other questions I’d asked earlier that afternoon and wanted me to know that I was protected and should share my experience with the world. Since this was definitely my first metaphysical encounter, I had no idea how to form the correct words to share what had happened. How on earth, I asked Moa, am I supposed to convey such undocumented, unsubstantiated, unusual information?

She said that our world exists on many levels which all play simultaneously. Her analogy was of a DVR. Several shows can be playing at the same time but are on different tuners. That, she said, is where she existed.

When I awoke, I began writing and continued to do so. The story evolved into “Moa,” then the sequel, “Statue of Ku.” My daughter, now seven, took the cover photo and illustrated, as well. The photo was taken a few years ago on the North Shore as we played on the beach. The artwork has been compiled over the last two years.

Since my visit with Moa, I began an extensive and sometimes circuitous search to explain my metaphysical experience. I took classes on mediumship, Huna, energy work and through my education, I learned to create healing essential oils and elixir sprays and incorporated that information in the book. Not only did my experience with Moa inspire me and guide me through four-and-a-half of the most challenging years of my life, I also believe that writing about those events and including information I received about that inspiration and guidance, brought my own deep physical, mental, emotional and spiritual transformation and healing. Writing, editing and publishing Moa has opened doors to a new way of understanding myself, those around me and the energy we share.

Whatever your belief or understanding of the metaphysical world, I believe that if one person is transformed through learning, then we are all transformed. I truly believe the Moa I met came through in this work and, just as I connected with her as I wrote, those who read the book will experience her as well.



As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Moa and Statue of Ku eBook editions have both been dropped to just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing either of these fantastic books at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $600 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of each book.

All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copies of Moa and Statue of Ku for just 99 cents
2. Enter the Rafflecopter contest on Novel Publicity
3. Visit today’s featured social media event

About Moa: Eighteen-year-old, Hillary, anticipates adventure as she embarks for trip to Honolulu, but gets more than she bargained for when Moa, an ancient Hawaiian spirit, pays her an unexpected visit. Get it on Amazon.

About Statue of Ku: The second book in the Moa Book Series, "The Statue of Ku" follows Hillary and Moa as they jet to Egypt on the Prince’s private plane to reclaim Moa’s family heirloom, the inimitable statue of Ku. Get it on Amazon.

About the author: Tricia Stewart Shiu combines her addiction to the written word with her avid interest in the healing arts and all things metaphysical in her novels Moa and Statue of Ku and looks forward to finding new ways to unite her two loves. Visit Tricia on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

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Waiting on Wednesday!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme and is hosted by Jill @ breaking the spine.

This week I am waiting for the first book in the Black City Chronicles series.

Black City by Elizabeth Richards!

Release November 13th 2012

A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war. In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable--they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash's long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they're caught, they'll be executed--but their feelings are too strong. When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

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Teaser Tuesday!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading.

*******************************************

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!

This week my teaser is from Forbidden by Syrie James & Ryan M. James

" They had stopped at the very top of the Ferris wheel. The view was breathtaking, but Claire gave it only  a cursory glance. Her attention was fixed on Alec. Beneath his quiet show of strength, she sensed his deep vulnerability."

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Spotlight:The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich

Ok, so I know this is a really old series but I just have to write about it since I loved the first book.
I acctually just stumbled upon it a couple of years ago when I bought a teen magazine and this first book was a giveaway with the magazine. I have always thought that this was just one book, not the first of many in a series.
Then yesterday when I was on the metro on my way home I saw a commercial of a movie with the same name "One for the money" as the first book is called. Then I went and checked it out online and from there it goes.
For you who does not know about this book it is nothing paranormal or fantasy about it. It´s kind of grown up and funny and has THE best love story. The love story is so great just because it´s not typical.

There are totally 22 books in this series including 4 in between holiday novellas.

I can´t believe I have missed this! lol

Now I have some catching up to do!

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Bookreview: Simmer by Kaitlyn Davis

Title: Simmer
Author: Kaitlyn Davis
Series: Midnight fire series book two
Format: E-book
Purchase: Amazon


My Rating:

My thoughts

I like the whole concept of this series. It is kind of similar to twilight in the sence of a special girl falling in love with a vampire and then she has a guy for a best friend who instead of being a wherewolf is a conduit just like herself and feelings can start to get a bit tricky sometimes if you know what I mean. But here the similarities end I would say.  It really is an exciting read and a book that I would not be able to stop reading if I didn't have other duties to attend to. The author really has a thing for painting up a lovely world in which Kira lives and i love it.

Kira is such a strongminded and lovely charachter that it's hard not to like her. She goes through a lot of stuff from the beginning of book one and really grows into her new role as a conduit. Ofcourse there is more growing to do and i have no doubt that the author will come up with something great in the next book.

Luke who becomes Kiras best friend in "Ignite" is adorable. He is so protective of Kira in a good way of course and he always has a smile on his lips. He is really goofy and complements Kira in the best of ways. He's always there for her when she needs him and he really is just like a big teddybear that you would like to hug.

Then comes Tristan. Whats to say!? I absolutely love him. He is the vampire boyfriend who is head over heels inlove with Kira and will do anything for her. He is warm and safe and at the same time he loves to be a troublemaker.

In books like these there is always easy for me to take a pick of the boy whom i think should be with the girl but you got me here. I reaaally cannot choose this time lol.

Overall I can really recommend these books because they will make you bite your nails, cry a bit and laugh and smile. An emotional rollercoster. I can't wait for book 3! Thank god I don't have to wait for it that long since it will be out this summer :)

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In our Mailbox

IMM is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. 

It is a way for book bloggers to post what they have received for review, borrowed from a friend, bought at the bookstore, or picked up at the library.

We have a few books this week!

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Saturday Snapshot: Midsummer´s eve

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce @ AT Home With Books.

Share your photos with us! They can be old or new but should be taken by you!

Today I am going to share a photo with you of something kind of unlikely to happen in Sweden! I should explain! 98 % of the time it rains on midsummer´s eve. And since we celebrate this and dance around the may pole we want it to be nice weather right? Well, not gonna happen if you live here. It can be sunny the day before or the day after but almost never on Midsummer´s eve. And if it is, it is sunny and then rainy and then sunny.... Well you get the picture.We have a really funny beer commercial about that actually! 

Anyway, this year (yesterday) we actually had nice weather! 

But today we have rain!

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Book review: The Sheol by Mia Hoddell

Author: Mia Hoddell
Title: The Sheol
Series: The wanderer trilogy #1
Genre: Adult, paranormal
Purchase: Amazon kindle edition
My rating:

About the book:

Being a trained killer, Kala can handle most things the world throws at her. However, when she murders her fiance, Kala's life is thrown into chaos. Forced to leave everything behind, she runs from city to city, in fear of her psychotic boss who is seeking her death. If that wasn't enough, she also has to cope with the re-appearance of her dead fiance who is struggling to keep a hold on his sanity as he strives for revenge.

My thoughts:

This was such a good book! The story line was well thought and intriguing! The Sheol had a good pace through out the book and it was kind of hard to put it down. It was so exiting and you wanted to know what would happen next.This is not your typical ghost-hunts-his-girlfriend-story! It does have a twist and I love that!  I also love the ending! I did not expect that to happen! So if you read this one be prepared to be surprised! I sure was!

Kala is also a really interesting character. She is brought up by a stone cold killer and is cable to turn off her feelings like a light switch and still she has a hard time coping with her fiance´s death and the fact that she kills for a living. But even tough she wants to and tries to change it is hard to change from something she has been trained for since she was a child.

If you seek something different and nail biting then this is for you!

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Teaser Tuesday!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading.

*******************************************

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!

This week my teaser is from Amber Frost by Suzi Davis

" Sebastian!" I Cried out in fear, desperately clinging to his hand. "What do we do?" His eyes darted about wildly, searching for a way to safety. A dozen emotions flitted across his face - confusion, regret, anger at himself, fear for my safety, doubt. "This shouldn´t be happening" he hissed, speaking to himself.

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In the Spotlight: Moonlight Mayhem by Sherry Soule

In the Spotlight!

Book two in the Spellbound series is coming soon!

MOONLIGHT MAYHEM Synopsis:

Shiloh Ravenwolf thought she was getting used to the supernatural events of Whispering Pines, but the full moon has brought another surge of threats to her coastal town. Ferocious wolves, deadly necromancers, and shambling zombies have descended upon the neighborhood, and Shiloh must gain control of her magical abilities—fast! But it sucks that Shiloh has a crippling fear of the dark. For a demon slayer, this can be an epic problem.

When her classmates are attacked by a mysterious animal and her father is murdered, Shiloh vows vengeance. Forcing her phobias aside, she forms an unlikely coven of supernaturally gifted teens to help her eradicate this menace, but Shiloh’s battling a different monster within herself. She’s struggling not to become the very thing she fights: evil.

But with demon blood inside her—anything can happen…

Moonlight Mayhem is the second novel in the unforgettably epic Spellbound series.


If you think this sounds interesting please sign up for our GIVEAWAY of book one in this series and keep your eyes out for my review of Moonligt Mayhem.


Sign up for the Giveaway here!

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Saturday snapshot: Sicily

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce @ AT Home With Books.

 this week I will show some of our vacation pictures from last week when we were in Sicily an Island outside Italy. It was a wonderful week and the weather was nice and warm with a lot of sunny days. The only downside to this week was my son´s ear infection. But we had a nice time anyway and the food is amazing!

This picture was taken in Taormina, Sicily

Well here we are! Me to the left and Sandra to the right

My beautiful little son!

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