[Feature Filipino] Book Review: #StrangeLit- Fateful Turns

#StrangeLit : Fateful Turns

By Various Authors

September 2015

Paranormal, Horror, Fantasy

Have I ever mentioned I love reading short story collections? I felt like a child given her favorite candy when I received an ARC of this short story collection. And since the theme of the stories involved fantasy, horror and paranormal, it was double the fun for me.

This collection is as diverse as the different authors whose stories are featured within its pages. Most of stories aren't like the usual paranormal stories that has been written before. Also, most of them were engrossing enough, and very helpful to kill time, but of course, I have my favorite.

What really stood out for me was Justine Camacho-Tajonera's The Mermaid From Siquijor. At first, the beginning threw me off because the chapters were disconnected, and there were too many characters involved. However, the interconnection of the characters was gradually explained as the story progressed. I thought that the story of the bearers of the light was really well-thought-out and very well-written. The downside is that, I don't think foreign readers would be able to relate.

All in all, this short story collection is engrossing, really interesting and unique. I highly recommend it for people who would like a paranormal fantasy collection that offers something different than vampires and werewolves.

[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.

[Book Review] Vampires Need Not Apply

Vampires Need Not... Apply?

By Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

September 3, 2013

Published by Forever Yours

Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Links:

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

This is book 4 in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Accidentally Yours paranormal romance series.

Meet Dr. Antonio Acero. Heir to Spain's wealthiest family, world-renowned physicist, and dedicated bachelor. While on vacation in southern Mexico, Antonio discovers an ancient Mayan tablet. Local legends say it contains magical properties, properties that could put his stalling research on the map.

But is this really his lucky break?

When Antonio attempts to put the tablet to use, he'll discover that Fate has other plans. Her name is Ixtab, and she's quite possibly the deadliest deity who ever lived.

[Book Review] Demon's Veil

Demon's Veil

by Brandice Snowden

July 15, 2013

Curiosity Quills Press

Fantasy, Paranormal

Links:

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

Powerful veils hold Earth apart from realms mortals believe are merely tales of myth and legend. They are opening again, leaving humans vulnerable, and the monsters ready to strike. 

Marie Leveau prefers to remain alone and anonymous, for she knows what goes bump in the night, and sacrificing others isn’t part of her personality. But life isn’t always about getting what you want. 

Contracted by The Organization, a shadow government agency, Marie is assigned a new Special Ops team, one she must introduce via Paranormal 101 to the very monsters they didn’t believe existed. Marie and her team are sent to Asia in search of an ancient relic, leading them into the jungle and tests of a fragile new bond. Despite the initial distrust, and an unholy battle with a demon-god, the team survives, their lives forever changed and woven into an unbreakable tapestry. 

Returning home, the new friends sense the very people responsible for their safety are willing to sacrifice them all in the name of power. 

They learn of a prophecy, and The Paladin, the one person able to close the veils and keep the mortals safe. 

With few clues, the team must unravel the prophecy and figure out how to close the veils. Or the monsters will use Earth as ground zero, innocents be damned.

[Book Review] Dead Sexy Dragon

Dead Sexy Dragon

by Lolita Lopez

August 6, 2013

Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Erotica

Links:

Goodreads // Barnes & Noble

The last thing dragon shifter Stig Wyvern needs is his dead friend’s kid sister showing up on his doorstep. He’s just minutes away from entering a mating phase. Sharing his isolated house with the young woman he’s desperately lusted after for quite some time is a recipe for disaster. 

But Cora Cardenas has nowhere else to go. She’s in deep trouble with some really nasty people and Stig is the only one who can protect her. That he’s deliciously sexy and makes her tingle with the simplest of smiles is just a bonus. 

Cora quickly realizes Stig is hiding something from her. To make matters worse, she’s plagued with breathtakingly naughty dreams starring a shadowed lover who bears a startling resemblance to her host. And just what the hell is going on down in the basement at night? 

Stig needs to get Cora out of his house but his inner beast has other ideas. He’s found his mate and she’s not going anywhere...

[Book Review] Down Among the Gods

Down Among the Gods

by Kate Thompson

July 16, 2013

Open Road Media

Contemporary Romance, Fantasy

Links:

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes and Noble

The Greek god Hermes narrates this extraordinary novel of contemporary romance by award-winning author Kate Thompson

“I have a story for you . . . It is a tale of immortals, acted by mortals.” 

So begins this story of two lonely people who meet at an adult education class. Jessie Parker has just turned forty. Between the recent death of her mother and the local library’s burning down, she feels bereft and adrift. Patrick Robinson, a journalist with artistic tendencies, is also searching for something. With the gods looking down upon them, Jessie and Patrick begin dating. Soon, they find themselves deeply in love, but caught up in the struggles that plague all relationships.

Told from the perspective of the immortal Hermes, Down Among the Gods is a riff on the modern romance. By turns funny and moving, this remarkable novel lays bare the intimate yearnings of those who quest after love everlasting—whether on Olympus or right here on Earth.

[Book Review] Kojiki

Kojiki

Keith Yatsuhashi

April 19, 2013

Musa Publishing

Young Adult, Fantasy

Links:
Goodreads // Amazon

Book Info:

When eighteen-year-old Keiko Yamada’s father dies unexpectedly, he leaves behind a one way ticket to Japan, an unintelligible death poem about powerful Japanese spirits and their gigantic, beast-like Guardians, and the cryptic words: “Go to Japan in my place. Find the Gate. My camera will show you the way.”

Alone and afraid, Keiko travels to Tokyo, determined to fulfill her father’s dying wish. There, beneath glittering neon signs, her father’s death poem comes to life. Ancient spirits spring from the shadows. Chaos envelops the city, and as Keiko flees its burning streets, her guide, the beautiful Yui Akiko, makes a stunning confession--that she, Yui, is one of a handful of spirits left behind to defend the world against the most powerful among them: a once noble spirit now insane. Keiko must decide if she will honor her father’s heritage and take her rightful place among the gods.

Rating:

★★★★★

[Book Review] Taliesin Ascendant

Taliesin Ascendant

(Book 2 of the Children of the Blood)

by Megan Joel Peterson

July 27, 2013

Young-Adult, Fantasy

Links:
Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

Book Info:

The war isn't over. 

And new enemies await.

Life on the run hasn't been easy, but so far, Ashe has survived. But now Carter has ordered her to leave the Hunters and find her family's people – an order she can't refuse, no matter how much she wants to stay.

Following his command will bring her into an unknown world, however – a world filled with new enemies and old prejudices that will demand more of her than she can imagine, at a cost higher than she'll ever be willing to pay.

Rating:

★★★★★

[Blog Tour - Book Review] Queen of the Clueless

Queen of the Clueless
Author: Mina V. Esguerra
Date Published: February 6, 2013
Source: ARC
Genre: Fantasy, New Adult, Contemporary Romance


Rating: ★★★★★


Links:
Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords

About the Book:

If you've been feeling neglected by the Goddess of Love lately, don't worry -- Hannah Maquiling, college sophomore, is in training to take over. The Original Goddess is missing, but Hannah is Interim Goddess now, and she should figure out how to solve humanity's love problems soon. Quin (God of the Sun) is still her mentor, still really hot, but apparently isn't as honest about his other earthly relationships as she thought. It's frustrating, and enough to make her check out possibilities with Diego (God of the Sea) and Robbie (Cute Human).

In the meantime, she's decided to spend some of her precious training time helping to break up a relationship, instead of putting one together. Why? Because the girl in question happens to be her best friend Sol, whose boyfriend is stealing not just from her, but from other people on campus. Sol didn't exactly summon the Goddess, but this is what power over Love is for, right? Surely it's not just about matchmaking, but ending doomed relationships too. (Even when it's not what people want.)

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Review:
This book will make you want to read MOARRR!

We continue from where we left off from the end of the first book (Interim Goddess of Love). Hannah continues her training, under the tutelage of Quin, as the interim Goddess of Love. She's slowly getting the hang of her goddess powers, but of course, extrinsic factors also come into the mix.

I still appreciate the inclusion of Philippine mythology into this one. I especially liked that heartbreaking tale about the first woman and the God of the Sea. On the scene where Hannah learned about Diego's tale, my mood dampened a little. Surely, the aggressive and unpredictable God of the Sea deserves his own happy ending, too. (Miss Mina, ahemm... *hint* *hint* *nudge* *nudge*)

So then, the questions begs to be asked, "Should I switch to Team Diego?!" Hmmmm... But Robbie~!

Moving on, as I read through this book, I got a wee bit frustrated. This is probably the reason why I rated this book only three stars out of five.

I got irritated with Hannah because she seems to be way in over her head when she decided to take on Neil. I mean sure, I get it that you proved that you can actually handle being the Goddess of Love with Kathy Martin, but that was just one successful project! And Quin has had a millenia of practice in doing his job so he surely knows best. At the same time, I was worried for Hannah because Neil has power over her. If I were Quin, I'd keep an eye on Hannah 24/7 because I have a hero complex! But that's just me. Heh.

I also got frustrated over Quin because I was rooting for him and Hannah to get together since the first book, but what the hell?! He remains stoic, aloof and indifferent to Hannah's feelings! Actually, I get that Quin was getting a little bit affected by Hannah and her antics in this book because of the little things that he does, like flashes of lightning, anyone? It was subtle but I noticed it.

The second to the last frustrating thing in this book is Hannah's first kiss: Diego Simon. NOOOOOOOOO!!! I was hoping it would be Quin! They were so cute during the first book! If it was Robbie, I'd have been a little miffed but would have conceded since Robbie was such a nice guy, but it was Diego! Granted, I know he did it to awaken some of Hannah's goddess powers, but still! It was her freaking first kiss! (On the up-side, she still has her remaining goddess life to kiss Quin.)

And the most frustrating thing in this book, which made me want to claw my eyes and pull all of my hairs out: the ending. IT WAS A CLIFFHANGER!!!

You know that frustrating feeling you get when you're too engrossed in a book and you want to know what happens next but you've already reached the ending page? I almost threw my tablet out of frustration. True story!

On the up-side, the frustrated feeling that this book brought me simply means that the author was successful in making me hooked on her book (kudos to Miss Mina!), and that she was able to weave such an engrossing story.

Author Bio: 

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Mina V. Esguerra writes contemporary romance, young adult, and new adultnovellas. Her young adult/fantasy trilogy Interim Goddess of Love is a college love story featuring gods from Philippine mythology. Her contemporary romance novella Fairy Tale Fail won the 2012 Filipino Readers' Choice award for Chick Lit. Through her blog Publishing in Pajamas (minavesguerra.com), she documents her experiments in e-publishing.

When not writing romance, she is president of communications firm Bronze Age Media, development communication consultant, indie publisher, professional editor, wife, and mother. She created the workshop series "Author at Once" and #romanceclass for writers and publishers.

[Blog Tour - Book Review] Interim Goddess of Love

 

Interim Goddess of Love
Author: Mina V. Esguerra
Date Published: July 13, 2013
Publisher: Createspace
Source: ARC
Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Rating: ★★★★★

Links:
Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Book Information:

College sophomore Hannah Maquiling doesn't know why everyone tells her their love problems. She's never even had a boyfriend, but that doesn't stop people from spilling their guts to her, and asking for advice. So maybe it shouldn't be a surprise when the cutest guy in school tells her that she's going to have to take on this responsibility -- but for all humanity. 

The Goddess of Love has gone AWOL. It's a problem, because her job is to keep in check this world's obsession with love (and lack of it). The God of the Sun, for now an impossibly handsome senior at an exclusive college just outside of Metro Manila, thinks Hannah has what it takes to (temporarily) do the job. 

While she's learning to do this goddess thing, she practices on the love troubles of shy Kathy, who's got a secret admirer on campus. Hannah's mission, should she choose to accept it, is to make sure that he's not a creepy stalker and they find their happily ever after -- or at least something that'll last until next semester. (As if she could refuse! The Sun God asked so nicely. And he's so, well, hot.)

Review:
A uniquely Filipino brand of mythology told from the perspective of Hannah Maquiling, a college student, a responsible daughter, and presently, the Interim Goddess of Love.

Story-wise, I love how Miss Mina had incorporated Philippine folklore into the story. Sure, Philippine mythology is totally different from the more famous Roman or Greek, but it's none the less colorful, and without the complicated sexual relations among the gods. *snicker*

I also like Hannah. She's like a completely relatable friend. At the beginning of the story, she's just like any other girl, which is one of the charms of the story. She's a listener, she's good-natured and she's level-headed

Personally, I feel like I've found a kindred soul in Hannah. I've been the confidant of several of my friends, and I'm mostly a listener rather than a talker. This is one of the reasons why I really liked her. I'm no Interim Goddess of Love, though. I think it's too much work, and I'm too lazy. LOL.

And then there's also Quin - leader type, mysterious and enigmatic Quin. I've been pinning for him and Hannah to end up together, but he's just too... aloof. Yes, he's polite. Yes, he's always there when Hannah needs him. Yes, it's very easy to fall for him. But he has this wall up around him!

During the scene where Quin awakened some of Hannah's Goddess powers, I kept imagining that Quin didn't really need to be touchy feely with Hannah, but he did anyway because it gave him a valid excuse to touch her. (I think this is just a product of my imagination, but what the hell?)

I honestly wanted more to happen between Hannah and Quin. Sure, Kathy Martin's love life seriously needed help, but I was more into Quin and Hannah, so when the story ended, I was crying for more! The ending seriously frustrated me that I had a hang-up about the story for almost three days. (Can you imagine that?!)

The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it's too short and I wanted more!!

All in all, the whole story was engrossing. It painted a pretty accurate picture of a middle-class community in the Philippines. It incorporated Philippine folklore into the story. The characters were distinct and engaging, and the story is sure to make the reader want more.

[Blog Tour - Book Spotlight + Giveaway] Interim Goddess of Love

Interim Goddess of Love
Author: Mina V. Esguerra
Date Published: July 13, 2013
Publisher: Createspace
Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Book Information:

College sophomore Hannah Maquiling doesn't know why everyone tells her their love problems. She's never even had a boyfriend, but that doesn't stop people from spilling their guts to her, and asking for advice. So maybe it shouldn't be a surprise when the cutest guy in school tells her that she's going to have to take on this responsibility -- but for all humanity. 

The Goddess of Love has gone AWOL. It's a problem, because her job is to keep in check this world's obsession with love (and lack of it). The God of the Sun, for now an impossibly handsome senior at an exclusive college just outside of Metro Manila, thinks Hannah has what it takes to (temporarily) do the job. 

While she's learning to do this goddess thing, she practices on the love troubles of shy Kathy, who's got a secret admirer on campus. Hannah's mission, should she choose to accept it, is to make sure that he's not a creepy stalker and they find their happily ever after -- or at least something that'll last until next semester. (As if she could refuse! The Sun God asked so nicely. And he's so, well, hot.)

Links:

Goodreads

Smashwords

Excerpt:

Disclaimer: I'm new at this.  

It's only been three weeks, I wanted to say. So if I do anything wrong, mess you up in any way, I shouldn't be held responsible. But the girl sitting in front of me, she didn't know that anyway. She didn't know that by walking into the College Guidance Office, seeking something as abstract as "guidance," she would instead find me, and be the first to summon me.

Quin told me that I would get better at the diagnosis with each "project." 

It helps if you're familiar with the feeling, he always said. But it'll get easier.Kathy Martin had been sitting on the couch across from me for ten minutes, but I only noticed her there after a pencil rolled off my desk. I bent to pick it up and saw Kathy's shoes. Ballet flats so orange, they looked like they were on fire. 

"You scared me," I said, or maybe something with more profanity. "I didn't see you there." 

"I get that a lot." 

"Are they expecting you?" I asked, going into secretary mode. 

Kathy shook her head. "No," she said. "Should I have made an appointment? I thought I could just walk in here." 

I checked the calendars of the two guidance counselors who were on that day and saw that neither would be available for another four hours. And they were both out at the moment. 

The disappointment on Kathy's face was unexpected. No one ever wanted to see a guidance counselor that badly, at least not on the Tuesdays and Thursdays that I did filing work there. 

"You could come back at five," I offered. 

"Do you work here?" 

I didn't, not in the way Kathy meant with her question. Located just outside of Metro Manila, Ford River College was a relatively new school (compared to the over-a-century-old ones put up during the Spanish and American periods), but it already had a reputation for being the place to send your children if they were very smart, or if you were very rich. I was there on scholarship, but I didn't think that automatically put me in the camp of very smart. Maybe lucky. 

One of the strings attached to the free education was that I had to work in a "relevant administration office" several hours a week. If Kathy couldn't tell I was a student, I could guess why. Students of Ford River wore uniforms only on Mondays.  

"I'm just a student employee," was the gist of it. 

"Oh." More disappointment. 

I could see what was coming, when her face lit up briefly. 

"Can I talk to you instead?" she asked. 

Could she? It wasn't like I was idle. I had two hundred sheets of student personality test to fail, and they needed this yesterday. I was sure Kathy could see that, because they were all on top of the desk, a Great Wall of Papers between us. 

"You're fine that I'm just a student?" 

She shrugged. "I just want someone to talk to. I'm Kathy, by the way." 

"Hannah Maquiling. What do you want to talk about?" 

She sighed. "There's this guy who likes me. I don't know what to make of it." 

I sighed too. "Let's walk to the cafeteria and you can tell me about it." 

"You don't mind?" Her eyes were big and pleading, and I saw it, before I felt it pass my skin and get into my bones. 

Longing. 

I knew that, longing. The act of identifying it seemed to make it worse, and it felt like it slammed into my chest instead of crept in. 

"Nah," I said, trying to sound casual and not at all like her emotion was suffocating me. "It's my job, I guess." 

I was told that they would find me, wherever I happened to be, and they would want and need to talk about boys, and girls, and relationships, and what it all meant, and I had to make time for them. 

For I am the interim goddess of love.

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Author Bio: 

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Mina V. Esguerra writes contemporary romance, young adult, and new adult novellas. Her young adult/fantasy trilogy Interim Goddess of Love is a college love story featuring gods from Philippine mythology. Her contemporary romance novella Fairy Tale Fail won the 2012 Filipino Readers' Choice award for Chick Lit. Through her blog Publishing in Pajamas (minavesguerra.com), she documents her experiments in e-publishing.

When not writing romance, she is president of communications firm Bronze Age Media, development communication consultant, indie publisher, professional editor, wife, and mother. She created the workshop series "Author at Once" and #romanceclass for writers and publishers.