[Wrap Up] April 2014

If April was a girl, she'd be the heroine in a summer fling -- sweet, short and memorable.

I can't believe that today is the last day of April. How time flies so fast, specially when I've been too caught up in too many things. April -- Let's see... Inappropriate Entanglement was released through Buqo on April 1. I also arranged a 5-week blog tour (April to May) for the #BuqoSteamyReads stories, which is on-going as we speak.

I had but a one-week staycation during the Holy Week, then I was back in action for my summer review. To be honest, I missed my law books so I just had to read. I realized I like keeping busy and doing nothing makes me antsy and restless. Besides, my Compre exam for my final year in law school is coming up and I really need to step my game up.

What else?

OH. The book reviews, of course.

What Goes On Tour by Claire Boston

Granny is My Wingman by Kayli Stollak

The Virgin: Revenge and The Virgin: Redemption by J. Dallas

Charred Heart by Lizzy Ford

That's it!

[Blog Tour - Excerpt Reveal] Crashing Into Him

Crashing Into Him
by Halina Cabrera

Hazel Fernandez, certified workaholic and finance manager, and Luis Cortez, fitness buff and gym owner, meet when he crashes his truck into her car. In the first five minutes, she notices that he is one hot guy. But he immediately starts acting like a jerk. She decides she can’t stand him. And she guesses he can’t stand her either. Except that she catches him checking her out.

Then Luis wants to meet about car insurance issues. Will all discussions end with what will be done with their cars or will there be more crashing into each other? Hazel is about to find out one rainy night.

EXCERPT

Gruet corner Wilson Streets “Oh my God!” is all Hazel can think when she feels the impact of the car crashing into the passenger side of her Kia Picanto. Her mind temporarily goes blank. Then all she can hear is her own panicked breathing. Now, she can’t move. She’s never been in an accident before. The glass on the passenger side has shattered. Through the window frame she can see a guy coming up to her. 

 “Okay ka lang, miss?” she hears him say.

Breathe, Hazel, breathe. Get out of the car. Three deep breaths, and she climbs out of the car, a little shaky on her feet. 

 “I’m okay.” She hears him breathe a sigh of relief. She looks up at him and sees that he is really good looking. He has chinito features, a strong jaw…and those shoulders! Talk about broad. Is she dreaming? Is this an accident-induced hallucination? 

 “Alam mo, miss, you were driving too fast,” he states. It doesn’t register right away because she’s still distracted by his gorgeousness. 

 Wait! What an asshole! “I was driving too fast? Look, I think it was the other way around,” she says, her voice rising. She never drives fast. Never. 

 “Miss, let’s just get to the police station. Magpaliwanag ka na lang doon,” he says curtly. So now that he’s established that she’s not hurt, he switches to jerk mode? 

 She sees red. What a waste of good looks! “What do you think I am, a reckless driver? Dapat ikaw ang nag-slow down.” 

 “Nasa main road ako!” 

 It’s a good thing that a traffic cop arrives at the scene before Hazel explodes. They get busy taking photos of their respective vehicles and exchanging calling cards. 

 “Punta na lang po tayo sa San Juan precinct. Pakisunod na lang sa police car.” 

 Hazel’s blood is boiling. Calm down, calm down. She can’t think when she’s this angry. And to think she was psyching herself up for a nice relaxing Friday evening just an hour ago. She was going home after putting in some overtime, having closed up shop at the software firm where she works as the finance manager. And now this. She’s bound to be stuck here for hours. Goodbye, relaxing evening. And welcome to a stressful weekend. 

 She’s particularly angry about her car getting smashed up because she knows it will be in the casa for at least a week or two. What is she supposed to do in the meantime? Commute? She thought those days were over. Hasn’t she worked her way up already? Doesn’t she deserve a break? 

 And who is this jerk who bumped her car, anyway? She turns over his card. Luis Cortez, owner, Red Door Gym, 119 Domingo St., San Juan, Metro Manila. No wonder he’s so fit. Focus, Hazel, focus. He’s a jerk, remember?

- x o O o x - 

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[Book Promotion] Don't Forget the Soap

To celebrate Mother's Day, Marie Claire Lim Moore, author of the book about the "Un-Tiger Mom" (Don't Forget the Soap) is holding a fabulous giveaway with awesome prizes!

Personally, it was such a delight to read this book! It's full of lessons, positivity and good vibes, and it's very inspiring! I highly recommend it! If you want to read my RAVE about this book, check it out HERE.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Don’t Forget the Soap is a collection of anecdotes: stories from the tight-knit Filipino community in Vancouver mix with memories of her move to New York, experiences at Yale and travels as a young executive. Underlying this narrative is the story of a global citizen who does not want to forget the fundamental values that come along with the “immigrant experience” as she and her husband raise their children in the increasingly glitzy expat bubble of Singapore. Her parents continue to remain a big influence in her life and her mother’s reminders a grounding force.

Share this inspiring book with the awesome women in your life!

GET IT ONLINE!

Amazon // Barnes and Noble 

** Also available in MPH and Kinokuniya in Singapore (SGD 18.60), and Fully Booked in the Philippines (P650).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MarieClaireLM

Marie Claire Lim Moore is a Filipina-Canadian-American working mother and author of Don't Forget the Soap. After spending the early part of her childhood in Vancouver, Claire moved to New York City and attended the United Nations International School. She went on to study at Yale, climb the corporate ladder at Citi and travel around the world. She met her husband, Alex, while working in Sao Paulo, Brazil and they married in Manila, Philippines shortly before moving to Singapore. Now Mom to Carlos and Isabel, Claire also manages the Global Client business for Citi in Asia. She enjoys juggling career and family and likes to throw in community and politics for fun by campaigning for US political candidates, fundraising for organizations that advance the role of women in business and promoting foreign direct investment in the Philippines. She is also a guest contributor at Sassy Mama Singapore.

[Blog Tour - Cover Reveal] Sizzle by Scarlett Fox

Sizzle by Scarlett Fox

It is a hot summer day the day that Tanya is to embark on a new life in her native town of Boracay. But the towering and ruggedly handsome Julio, her first heartbreak, owns the resort that she wants to buy. They cannot keep their hands off each other, but Tanya thinks that it is too high a price to pay.

Exclusively available through the Buqo App!

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***For readers 18 and up***

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[Book Review] Charred Heart

Charred Heart

By Lizzy Ford

November 23, 2013

Published By Guerrilla Wordfare

Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Links:

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

For a thousand years, Chace has searched for a way to break the curse placed on him by a jilted lover. He’s a dragon shifter, one who can’t control when the magic will force him into a different form. He’s already lost everyone he ever cared about a few times over and doesn’t know how much longer he’s meant to suffer. 

At his wit’s end, he makes a deal with a mysterious figure that offers him what he wants most – an end to his misery – in exchange for everything that’s his: His life, his power. His heart. 

The next day, he meets Skylar, a modern day dragon slayer whose mission is to cage him – or kill him. Sexy, witty and brave, she is the yin to his yang, the woman destined to break the curse, balance his magic and make his broken heart whole.

Except it’s too late. Not only has he sealed his fate, but an innocent one-night-stand with Skylar has dragged her into the middle of a deal with the devil, one she won’t escape, if he can’t convince her that dragon shifters aren’t her enemies.

[Linking Up] Feature & Follow #41

Spring Break. Where would be your favorite destination spot if you could join the Spring Break festivities?

Unfortunately, in my side of the world, we don't have Spring Break since there's no Spring Season in the Philippines. What we do have is a Summer Break and that's right now (March to May), BUT since we're talking theoretically here, if I could partake in Spring Break festivities, I'd like to go to Vegas, because I've never been there, and I'd like to see how it is. =)

[Book Review] What Goes On Tour

What Goes On Tour

By Claire Boston

February 11, 2014

Published Momentum Moonlight

Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Links:

Goodreads // Amazon 

What goes on tour, stays on tour … or does it? 

Few people know that socially awkward Adrian Hart is actually rock god Kent Downer, and that's the way Adrian likes it. His privacy is essential, especially now that he has guardianship of his orphaned, ten-year-old niece, Kate. But when the nanny quits in the middle of his tour Adrian finds himself in a bind.
Until Libby Myles walks into his life. 

Libby has only ever wanted to become a full-time author and prove to her parents that she can make it on her own. On the surface, the temporary job as the nanny for Kent Downer's niece looks perfect—the pay is fabulous, the hours are short and Kate is a big fan—it's the rock star that's the issue. 

Arrogant and way too attractive for anyone's good, Kent Downer has enough swagger to power a small city. But when he's out of costume he's different—shy and uncertain. For Libby it's a far harder combination to resist. She needs to find a balance between work, writing and ignoring her attraction to the rock star, because if she falls for him, it could mean the end of her dream.

But when a horrible scandal is unleashed—putting young Kate in danger—there's more heat between Libby and Adrian than just sexual attraction. Libby must figure out if Adrian ever cared for her, or if it was all just part of the show…

[Book Review] The Virgin: Revenge & Redemption

The Virgin: Revenge
(Book 01)

By J. Dallas

November 4, 2013

Published by Spiral Bound

Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Links:

Goodreads // Amazon 

I was seventeen when I met Drake Gallagher. Seventeen, naive, foolish…and in love. Or so I thought. That summer, and the months that followed, set the course of my life. 

Ten years later, I’m still struggling to put the pieces of me back to together.
It’s time to stop struggling. It’s time to take control…and maybe, it’s time for a little revenge. 

He doesn’t have time for naive little virgins? 

Well, I’m not naive anymore.I was seventeen when I met Drake Gallagher. Seventeen, naive, foolish…and in love. Or so I thought. That summer, and the months that followed, set the course of my life. 

Ten years later, I’m still struggling to put the pieces of me back to together.
It’s time to stop struggling. It’s time to take control…and maybe, it’s time for a little revenge. 

He doesn’t have time for naive little virgins? 

Well, I’m not naive anymore.

[Linking Up] Feature & Follow #40

Tell us about a book that you didn’t like and why we shouldn’t read it (as nicely and respectfully as possible).

I didn't really like HUSSY. Interesting premise, but a little lackluster in delivery, and just so many wrong turns, one after another. The story portrayed an orgy, and a female protagonist who obviously didn't want it to happen but allowed it anyway because she thought she had no choice. Sure, the shock value that went with reading the scene was effective in drawing a response from me as a reader (disgust is still a response), but I really didn't like it.

[#amwriting] Why do I always do this?

Ahoy! Konnichiwa! Greetings!

I speak as both book blogger and author in this writerly-post. (Oh, sh*t! I'm an author now! I never really claimed being one before! ASDFGHJKL!!!) 

Aheemmm... Sorry.

Anyways, what I mean about the 'Why do I always do this?' title is the fact that I tend to keep my hobbies a secret from my mom but end up carelessly letting her know about it without really explaining myself.

Let me explain what I mean.

[Book Review] Granny Is My Wingman

Granny is My Wingman

By Kayli Stollak

October 15, 2013

New Harvest

Humor, Non-Fiction

Links:

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

At twenty-three, Kayli Stollak, like most starry-eyed twentysomethings, assumed that she and her boyfriend, Charlie, would be together forever. Besides a rockin’ sex life, they shared a passion for motorcycle adventures, hedonistic European music festivals, and wearing matching glittery spandex to the disco. What more could a gal ask for? She envisioned their love burning well into their sixties. 

And then he dumped her. 

Heartbroken, Kayli turned to her seventy-five-year-old granny for support. And this ain’t no ordinary granny. Granny Gail is a ball-busting, sh*t-talking, gossipy yenta with an anecdote or piece of unsolicited advice for every situation. Granny didn’t sugarcoat the truth or let Kayli dwell on her failed relationship. No, Granny told her to cut the crap and snap out of it. Why didn’t Kayli give “one of those dating websites” a shot? With her ego on the line, Kayli threw the dare right back at her—if it was so wonderful, why didn’t single Granny join her in the world of cyber romance? 

Granny Is My Wingman chronicles Kayli’s and Granny’s misadventures in online dating. What ensues is a hilarious tour through the obstacles of modern love: drunken hookups, late-night Facebook stalking, breathy phone calls with geriatric suitors, and the occasional rude dude. While Kayli powers through a marathon of OkCupid dates—the corporate drone married to his BlackBerry, the nail-biting thirty-three-year-old who still lives at home with his mom, the serial online dater—we learn about Granny’s romantic past and the bittersweet affair she carried on, even while married, for more than thirty years. The two women cheer each other on and become even closer as they share their dating exploits, learning that the hunt for happiness is the same whether you’re twenty-five or seventy-five. 

Fresh, funny, and honest, Granny Is My Wingman is a book for anyone who has ever found love, lost it, and been crazy enough to do it all over again.