Mead's new vampire spinoff manages to stand apart (AP)

"Bloodlines" (Razorbill), by Richelle Mead: Sydney doesn't have time to worry about pimples or a date to the prom. Instead, she's worried about the vampire princess she's sworn to protect to avoid a civil war that would likely cost human lives.

Richelle Mead's young adult "Bloodlines" is set in the same world of the Moroi, Strigoi and dhampirs (human-vampire hybrids) as her Vampire Academy Series, which she completed in December. It's a spinoff narrated by Sydney, a side character in the Vampire Academy books.

Sydney is an alchemist who protects humans from the volatile world of vampires. Her father is important in the world of alchemists and has trained her since she was a child. She's one of the best, though she recently lost her father's trust because of a rogue operation.

Alchemists use magic, mostly in the form of powerful gold tattoos that are kept secret. The tattoos are made with a mix of vampire blood that gives them superhuman strength and speed.

Moroi Princess Jill Dragomir is being hunted by the Strigoi, a rival vampire race. To avoid civil war, Sydney takes Jill and her bodyguards to Palm Springs, Calif., to attend high school as human teenagers.

As the line between vampires and humans begins to blur, Sydney has to decide what's more important: her family and her past or her new friends.

Readers of the Vampire Academy Series will have no trouble following "Bloodlines." But this is more than a spinoff, and those unfamiliar with the previous series won't be left behind.

"Bloodlines" stands out from the crowded vampire genre because it's not centered on a human-vampire romance, which is considered quite repulsive. Sydney is very clear on the subject: "Humans and vampires can't be together! It's disgusting and wrong."

Instead, "Bloodlines" is about the complications of an old culture centered on old beliefs that doesn't necessarily translate to a new generation. While there are a few love stories throughout the book, the focus on Sydney's internal struggle is quite refreshing.

"Bloodlines" proves there's more to being a teenager caught in a complicated world of secrets and lies than cute boys.

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Online:

http://www.richellemead.com/

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Man suspected in Hilton stalking to stand trial (AP)

By ANTHONY McCARTNEY, AP Entertainment Writer Anthony Mccartney, Ap Entertainment Writer – 1 hr 31 mins ago

LOS ANGELES – A man who once asked Paris Hilton to marry him and has been arrested twice outside homes owned by the socialite must stand trial for felony stalking, a judge ruled Monday.

James Rainford appeared to be obsessed with Hilton and his alleged actions gave the hotel heiress good reason to be afraid, Superior Court Judge Jessica Silvers said.

"It's very clear from all these incidents that you are obsessed with Paris Hilton," Silvers told Rainford after a 90-minute hearing. "This is more personal, and it is scary."

Rainford, 36, was previously convicted of battery against Hilton's former boyfriend Cy Waits, who was hit in the head outside a courthouse earlier this year.

Rainford did not react after Silvers' ruling and only spoke quietly with his attorney during the hearing.

Rainford's most recent arrest came after a July 4 encounter in which paparazzi alerted authorities he was outside the heiress' beach house.

Defense attorney Craig Renetzky argued during the hearing that Rainford had never directly threatened Hilton, and that she had never left her home during either incident that led to his arrests.

His actions, including hitting Hilton's ex-boyfriend and shoving a security guard in October, were not directed at the socialite herself, the lawyer said.

"The only thing he's apparently ever done to her is to propose to her," Renetzky said.

Hilton politely refused. She did not attend Monday's hearing.

Prosecutor Wendy Segall called four law enforcement officers to testify about their dealings with Rainford after his arrests or their conversations with Hilton.

Sheriff's Detective Rodney Wagner said Hilton was "afraid for her safety as well as her family, her friends around her."

Rainford remained jailed in lieu of $150,000 bail and was told to return to court on Aug. 29 for an arraignment. No trial date has been set.

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Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/celebritydocketA judge says a man charged with stalking Paris Hilton must stand trial and called his actions toward the socialite scary.

Superior Court Judge Jessica Silvers rejected arguments by suspect James Rainford's attorney that his client posed no direct threat to Hilton.

The 36-year-old Rainford has been arrested twice outside Hilton's homes. One incident came on July 4, when paparazzi alerted authorities he was outside the heiress' beach house.

Rainford previously was convicted of battery against Hilton's former boyfriend Cy Waits, who was hit outside a courthouse earlier this year.

Hilton did not appear in court. Four law enforcement officers testified about their interactions with Rainford after he was found outside the homes.

Rainford remains jailed and will return to court on Aug. 29 for arraignment.

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Schwarzenegger to return to acting in 'Last Stand' (AP)

LOS ANGELES – Arnold Schwarzenegger said he'd be back.

A spokesman for the former governor says Schwarzenegger will return to acting with a role in the Lionsgate film "Last Stand." The role represents Schwarzenegger's first major movie role since 2003's "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines." He made a cameo appearance in last summer's "The Expendables."

Spokesman Daniel Ketchell confirmed Tuesday that Schwarzenegger will appear in the Western flick but did not elaborate. Lionsgate declined comment Tuesday.

Schwarzenegger said in May that he was putting his acting projects on hold after disclosing that he fathered a child with a family housekeeper and splitting with wife Maria Shriver.

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Advertisers stand by Armstrong after CBS doping report (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) – A day after a "60 Minutes" report claimed that Lance Armstrong took performance-enhancing drugs, Nike has released a statement supporting the cyclist.

"Our relationship with Lance remains as strong as ever," the company told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement. "We are proud to work with him and support his foundation. Nike does not condone the use of banned substances and Lance has been unwavering on that position as well."

A representative for Anheuser-Busch told THR that Armstrong will continue to be a spokesperson for Michelob Ultra.

"Lance has performed as an extraordinary athlete in a demanding sport, making him admired by millions who lead active lifestyles. That was our opinion when we signed him and that is our opinion today," the company says in a statement.

At least three of Armstrong's ex-teammates claimed the cyclist used PEDs. Tyler Hamilton, Armstrong's fellow cyclist for the first three of his seven Tour de France victories, said he even witnessed Armstrong inject the blood-boosting drug EPO.

"You saw Lance Armstrong inject EPO?" correspondent Scott Pelley asked Hamilton, to which he replied, "Yeah, like we all did, like I did many, many times."

Armstrong has long denied doping charges. He has posted a statement on his publicist's Web site, facts4lance.com. He accused the CBS News report of being "replete with broken promises, false assurances and selective reliance on witnesses upon whom no reputable journalist would rely."

(Editing by Chris Michaud)

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