Monday, September 30, 2013

It's the first of October and...

And it already proves to be a busy, busy day! But it's okay. I like busy. Sometimes, I like this kind of busy because this kind of busy makes me feel productive and creative at the same time and not a lot of people can say that, so I'm thankful for times like this.

So, this morning I tracked by tracked Miley Cyrus's BANGERZ and boy oh boy did it turn out to be good. I actually feel her pain in some of the songs. Favorite track would have to be "F.U." simply because well...the lyrics are so to the point.

"I've got two letters for you: One of them's F, one of them's U." 

And then there's Britney's Work Bitch MV...but that's coming tomorrow. So excited!

(yeah yeah this is basically a fangirling post)

Anyway, I also worked on some reviews today for some upcoming book tours in this blog (see list here) and then I also have some beta-reading to do, plus some articles to write...Finished one this morning, so, good for me.

And because it's October, my birthday is comin up soon! 17 days! 17 days and I'll be (eek) older. I wrote something about that, will probably post later...or soon, whatever.

(And I am so craving for Ice Cream right now. And burgers. yes, burgers.)

And speaking of by birthday, I really want to re-create Katy's Billboard Photo Shoot for that day. She just looks so lovely (not that I wish I could just suddenly grow her face, but you know) and I love flowers and butterflies and yeah well...

Just look at these:



That's why I want to go to that park...and eat, eat, eat.

Yeah, I'm in the mood to pig-out. Real bad. 



Hopeless for You by Hayden Hill--Review

Title: Hopeless For You
Author: Hayden Hill

If I am more alive because love burns and chars me, as a fire, given wood or wind, feels new elation, it's that he who lays me low is my salvation, and invigorates the more, the more he scars me."
― Michelangelo

Ash Jensen, a squeaky-clean sophomore at the University of Tennessee, has a trail of baggage a mile long―she buried her fiancĂ© only a year and a half ago. She swore she'd never love again but when she finds herself interned to a yummy Canadian conservation officer that promise is tested big-time. Kade Gyllenhahl sports wild tattoos, a rebellious attitude and a fohawk to die for. He's definitely the wrong man for her and she knows it. 

Kade doesn't have time for a girl like her. She's a pretentious, unreadable princess who lives her life by her parents' rules. Kade knows nothing about her past and he'd prefer to keep it that way. Besides, he'll lose his job if he sleeps with Ash. Now if only he could get his mind off her. 

When the two of them end up alone and isolated on a routine field trip in the woods, things get a little complicated... 

One man afraid of commitment.
One woman afraid to love again.
Two lives.
Two hearts.
One life-changing journey.


***

"Love makes the impossible Possible." 
Hopeless for you is the story of love between two broken people--Kade, who on the outside looks every bit the player and the bad guy, and Ash, who has that sad, sad look in her eyes that caught Kade's attention at first sight.

At first, they tried to avoid their intense attraction to each other until something happened that changed their lives for good. And, they also got to know more about each other and about who they really are. Their scars and the pains of their past come to the surface and it's up to them to decide whether to get stuck in the past or give love another chance. 

I like how simple and easy to read this book is. Like a diamond in the rough, there are some stuff that has to be polished but otherwise, it's a good book with a lovely story and definitely very sexy scenes!

Another good thing I like about this book is the fact that there are some really funny, adorkable scenes! Such as Ash's worries about being unshaved (lol, sorry, spoiler), and all that stuff and I guess, that's what makes this book so realistic and nice to spend time on. There's also the fact that even the supporting characters like Gina and Blaine are given their turn in the spotlight--this makes the book more engaging and not boring.


And, the ending. Oh my god. I love how realistic that it and how it coincided with the story. Awesome, awesome ending.

So, yes, if you're into romance and books like this are your guilty pleasure, then by all means, read this one! You won't regret it. 


(you can also read my review on my Goodreads page Here)

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The Right Kind of Wrong by Jade Eby (Review + Playlist)




Nothing stays hidden forever. 

Kara Pierce has held onto the same dream since she was a little girl: to be the next Katie Couric.

Vince Gage, a budding filmmaker whose I-don't-give-a-shit attitude cancels out his charm, almost ruined it for her once, and now he’s back, threatening to do it again.

When the two of them are paired together for a college competition with a $20,000 prize, the only thing they agree on is winning.

They return to Iowa where Kara grew up to research her grandfather's service in World War II, instead they find themselves in the middle of a family scandal kept quiet for far too long.

As Kara and Vince investigate the scandal deeper, they realize the price of uncovering the truth is so much more than they bargained for.

***


100th book I finished this year! yay! :) 

This is the story of Kate, a young journalist who's all for investigating the truth and how a guy, Vince, messed things up for her before and seems to be doing it again.

However, life has other plans and Kate realizes that Vince is not the enemy. She also realizes that aside from finding out the truth about the world, finding out the truth about her own life is bigger to bear.

As she and Vince dig more, they begin to figure out something big that Kate's Grandma has hidden from her her whole life. They also begin to realize how they are feeling for each other--and what they should do about it.

This book is a story of how a trip down your home can change your life. OF how there are things about ourselves that we don't know about--and how these things can make or break us. 

Fast paced and written in a way that will make you scream for more, this is a book that's perfect for those down times and for when you feel like reading something good. Read this book now and find out what I mean.

1. Daughtry - Home
2. Zedd ft Foxes - Clarity
3. Will Young - Leave Right Now
4. Katy Perry - Lost
5. Katy Perry - The One that Got Away
6. Frou Frou - Let Go
7. Leighton Meester - A little bit stronger
8. Lady Antebellum - Dancing Away with my heart
9. Lady Antebellum - Need You Now
10. Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek
11. Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran - Everything has Changed
12. A Fine Frenzy - Near to You
13. Haley Taylor - Plans
14. Owl City - Vanilla Twilight
15. Maroon 5 - Better that we break
16. Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball
17. Goo Goo Dolls - Iris





***
About The Author

Once upon a time there was a little girl who fell in love with books then she grew up to write her own. Jade has participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) six times and enjoys copious amounts of coffee. When she's not writing, she enjoys trashy reality T.V. and reading everything she can get her hands on. Mommy to two dogs and two naughty kitties, she feels like she might be on her way to having a zoo. You can find her on almost every social networking site that aids in her procrastination: Twitter- @jade_eby | Author Blog: www.jadeeby.com | Book Review Blog: www.chasingemptypavements.com

GIVEAWAY TIME!
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Monday, September 23, 2013

Hopeless by Hayden Hill (Excerpt Reveal + Giveaway)



Release date: September 19th 2013
Purchase: Amazon


BOOK DESCRIPTION:
"If I am more alive because love burns and chars me, as a fire, given wood or wind, feels new elation, it's that he who lays me low is my salvation, and invigorates the more, the more he scars me."
― Michelangelo

Ash Jensen, a squeaky-clean sophomore at the University of Tennessee, has a trail of baggage a mile long―she buried her fiancĂ© only a year and a half ago. She swore she'd never love again but when she finds herself interned to a yummy Canadian conservation officer that promise is tested big-time. Kade Gyllenhahl sports wild tattoos, a rebellious attitude and a fohawk to die for. He's definitely the wrong man for her and she knows it. 

Kade doesn't have time for a girl like her. She's a pretentious, unreadable princess who lives her life by her parents' rules. Kade knows nothing about her past and he'd prefer to keep it that way. Besides, he'll lose his job if he sleeps with Ash. Now if only he could get his mind off her. 

When the two of them end up alone and isolated on a routine field trip in the woods, things get a little complicated... 

One man afraid of commitment.
One woman afraid to love again.
Two lives.
Two hearts.
One life-changing journey.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hayden Hill is a New Adult Romance author. Her debut novel, Hopeless for You will be released in September 2013.
Writing HOPELESS FOR YOU was an emotional rollercoaster for Hayden. It started out as a rosebud of an idea which grew into this all-consuming tree. She poured everything into the book, heart and soul. It was a labor of love that’s for sure. They say that great art comes from pain. Well then Hopeless For You is her greatest work yet.
Thanks for giving the book a chance!


*Excerpt*
"You like vodka?" Kade said.
"What?" I glanced at him uncertainly. "That's kind of an odd question. From way out in left field."
"You're half Russian." He was staring at me intensely. "You must like vodka."
"Oh, no." I returned his gaze with equal intensity. Had he felt that tingle when our hands touched, too? Our conversation was all innocent on the outside but I could sense the sexual tension seething on the inside. Neither of us broke eye contact. He wasn't sitting all that far from me. It wouldn't take much to close the gap and wrap my lips around his. "I had vodka once when I was in tenth grade. Almost threw up. Scotch is more my thing."
"Scotch? That's a man's drink."
I shrugged, but didn't break eye contact. "Not really."
"Any preferred brands?" His voice sounded deeper, more sexual. I was starting to lose myself in those eyes.
"I don't know." My voice sounded strange, too. A little breathy."All kinds of brands. I don't like Jack Daniels, though."
"That's not even scotch. That's whiskey."
"Same thing."
Kade stood up now and edged a little closer. His eyes never left mine. "How can you not like Jack Daniels? That's, like, a Tennessee institution. They make it there, don't they?"
"They do." My heart was beating fast. "But Collier and McKeel is more my thing."
"How do you know so much about all these drinks, anyway?" he said in that deep, slow voice. "The legal age is twenty-one in Tennessee."
I knew my eyes were broadcasting sheer want. He felt it. I'm sure he did, because his eyes fed that want right back at me. "I'm a delinquent."
"You are." He took another step closer. I could hear his breathing now. Deeper.Faster. "Collier and McKeel... remind me to let you try Seagram's 83 sometime. Canadians make the best whiskey. Perfect for a delinquent like you."
"I'm actually more of a wine person. At least I used to be." We were so close now, barely a hand-span away. Those green eyes never left mine, and consumed me.
"Wine? I can see that. I'd peg you as a fan of white. You speak Sauvignon Blanc?" The way he said those French words sounded so sexy.
"I speak champagne," I said huskily. "Dom Perignon makes the most amazing Cristal. White Gold is--" I choked off the words, feeling suddenly like I was drowning, and I turned away from Kade. I couldn't hold back the sudden tears.
After all this time, something so simple as the name of a drink still affected me. I almost hoped Kade would wrap his arms around me and carry me away from the horrors of the past and save me from the guilt, but when I looked at him I saw he'd retreated to the shade again. He was sitting on the log with his arms crossed, facing away from me, staring at the river."

*GIVEAWAY TIME!*






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Friday, September 20, 2013

We used to be friends

I can easily associate books with old friends.

I don't know why I'm writing this. It's just that...While I was reading "A Treacherous Love" and saw the ad for "It Happened to Nancy" at the back, I remembered how I lent that book to a friend. It was way back then. Way back in college, when I was having the time of my life.

"It happened to Nancy" often reminds me of her. My college friend. I can't just simply call her "my friend" because it would be untrue. We no longer talk. I no longer know her.

But the book, though no longer with me, will always remind me of her. Sometimes, I miss her. I miss how she used to tell me everything. How she would cry over the simplest things--even cry for Nancy. How she had been so frank. How we promised to be good friends and how we promised that the friendship wouldn't end.

Sometimes, I wonder how she is and who she is now. I only know her from what she posts online. That's not enough. It's never enough.

And then there's "A Walk to Remember". More than anything, it'll always remind me of my old bestfriend. The one I've known since I was eight. The one who spend so many weekends at our house. The one i grew up with, then seemingly kicked out of my life two years back. I had my reasons, and those still stand firm.

We talk sometimes. Once in a while, once in a blue moon. The anger forgiven, the pain seemingly not forgotten.

I never knew it would end up this way. That we'd grow apart. That we'd fall apart. I did, but not this way.

But that's how life goes.

I don't often write about the friends I lost. I always believed that friendships fail; nothing really lasts forever.

But sometimes...sometimes, my heart just rises up to the surface. Sometimes, i miss the old days. Sometimes, I miss them.

We WERE friends, after all.

Home

Sometimes I tell myself not to crumble, not to fall.
I tell myself to keep on holding myself up; not to fall back from grace; to stay still.
Sometimes it's hard.

Sometimes, I wish I could somehow go back.
But there's nothing to come back to anymore.

If I do, it would all be the same.
If I do, then this year would've been nothing.

Because, even if I somehow yearn for that place,
nothing's just the same anymore.

Cheer up, child. Don't crumble. Don't quit.

Why You and I Work

Sometimes, it's so hard to see how you and I could work. How you and I could jive. Because we're two opposite ends of the spectrum. Because you hate fastfood and I love it. Because you can cook and I can't. Because you're more willing to share than I am. Because sometimes, we don't laugh at the same things. Because we got bills to pay and we got nothing figured out (right. Taylor Swift reference. sorry.) Because sometimes, I want to just go out and eat and you want to stay home and cook. Because sometimes, we couldn't get each other. Because you're you and I am me.

But there are days. There are days when I can see why. There are days when our worlds merge as one; when you and I become.

You and I work because sometimes, when we talk late, late at night and  just blurt out, "I'm hungry" or "I want (insert name of food here), we'd end up just laughing about it.
Because we talk late, late at night. period.
Because you cook for me and make me try different dishes without having them cost too much.
Because even if I'm dysfunctional and crazy (I admit that), you're there.
Because even if I don't get you sometimes, I'm here.
Because nothing was ever the same when you came.
Because I was never the same when we happened.
Because.
Just because.

Because I love you.
And because you love me, too.


Thursday, September 19, 2013

Cass and Jin Eats: Fish, Fries and then some.

Hello you guys. So. My guy and I kind of have this new project or adventure or whatever you call it. Well, we basically love to eat. And he loves to cook--not only to save his life, but he really can. And I can't (haha), well, except for some desserts or salads maybe but otherwise, ugh.


Anyway, we bought Spot.Ph's "The best of Everything Food Lists" book and decided that maybe we should try whatever's in there. It's a good way to bond and of course, a good way to keep our stomachs filled. hihi. While we already tried some of the stuff there, we didn't take pictures before (sayang) so, we'll just do it again whenever we can. And we started it yesterday!

Based on Spot's "BEST DAING NA BANGUS IN MANILA", and because we saw a Jolibee branch near the area, and because I was craving for Fries, we decided to go on and eat.

Bangus with Garlic Sauce (P89.00 with drinks), the large fries are P59.00 :))



Jolibee's Bangus ranks number 4 on the list. What can I say? It's been too long since I ate this again and I have to say that the sauce is pretty good. Tangy and a bit salty, which isn't my taste, but it has this good kick which makes it good. The fish is well-cooked, and I rarely eat fish skin so I didn't(haha), but otherwise the meat was well done and good to eat even without the rice. (I'm just not a big fan of rice). The tomato is bitin, though. There should've been more tomatoes...

Anyway, speaking of my guy's cooking, he cooked up some Chicken burgers last night.

Chicken Burger with  Basil and Gravy

I like how Basil always enhances everything <3 Nice, soft meat though.

Oh, and then there's this:

Goya Quadros. I was in Pinoy food mode yesterday! Well, when I saw this, I was like, ugh, that won't probably taste good. Or at least, not as good as it did. Because you know what? It did taste good. Dark chocolatey good. Plus, it won't burn a hole in your pocket. For only P8.50, this dessert is a steal! 

So yeah, that's all for now. We'll see where our stomachs lead us to soon.:)


Sunday, September 15, 2013

Kitzy

You weren't in our lives for so long,
you only came like a song
Finding you was crazy,
so we named you Kitzy

Kitzy, I miss you dearly
I can't let go completely
Kitzy, if only you'd come back to me
I'd keep on loving you dearly

You were our bright ray of sunshine
you kept us strong
I thought you knew you belonged

I miss you Kitzy
I'll see you again, someday, hopefully.

****

Just a short poem for our cat Kitzy. She left us last Saturday. Miss you, baby. :-(

A Little Too Far (Book Review + Giveaway)


Hello and Welcome to A Little Too Far's stop on my blog. If you're looking for a book that's so twisted you wouldn't be able to put it down, then this is the book for you.

          Title: A Little too Far
        Author: Lisa Desrochers
Have you ever gone just a little too far?
Lexie Banks has.
Yep. She just had mind-blowing sex with her stepbrother. In her defense, she was on the rebound, and it's more of a my-dad-happened-to-marry-a-woman-with-a-super-hot-son situation. But still, he's been her best friend and confidant for better part of the last few years...and is so off limits. It's a good thing she's leaving in two days for a year abroad in Rome. But even thousands of miles away, Lexie can't seem to escape trouble. Raised Catholic, she goes to Confession in hopes of alleviating some of her guilt...and maybe not burning in hell. Instead, she stumbles out of the confessional right into Alessandro Moretti, a young and very easy on the eyes deacon...only eight months away from becoming a priest. Lexie and Alessandro grow closer, and when Alessandro's signals start changing despite his vow of celibacy, she doesn't know what to think. She's torn between falling in love with the man she shouldn't want and the man she can't have. And she isn't sure how she can live with herself either way. 

***
Oh my god. This book is so not cookie-cutter material. But you know? Reading books like this one is great because it broadens your horizons, it makes you think, and it will make you question your views about the world and all that stuff.

Yep, we all know falling for a stepbrother is wrong. But, come to think of it, if you're not blood-related, then you'd probably really feel a connection--especially if you're in the same wavelength, if the person is hot, etcetera, etcetera.

Well, Lexie suffered the consequences of falling for her stepbrother and so she was thrown into Rome--and then she meets someone who again will challenge her beliefs, and will make her fall...the catch is, he's a priest.

It's such a complicated, crazy plot--but that's why it'll get you hooked. Read this book now and feel the hotness and the craziness.

***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Lisa Desrochers lives in northern California with her husband, two very busy daughters, and Shini the tarantula. If you'd told her five years ago she'd write a book, she'd have laughed in your face. As it turns out, she'd owe you an apology. Writing has become an addiction for Lisa and A Little Too Far, courtesy of HarperCollins, is her first novel for adults. She is also the author of the young adult Personal Demons trilogy from Macmillan. When she's not writing, she's reading, and she adores stories that take her to new places, and then take her by surprise. Connect with her online at www.lisadwrites.com, on her blog at lisadesrochers.blogspot.com, on Twitter at @LisaDez, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LisaDesrochersAuthor


***
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Cover (Story) Girl Review + GIVEAWAY!

Middle of September, everybody and I'm very glad to welcome you to the Cover (Story) Girl Book Tour's stop on my blog. If you're wondering what this book is about then read this post and I'm sure, by the end of it, you'll want to get your hands on this baby.

Title: Cover (Story) Girl
Author: Chris Mariano
Links: Kindle Smashwords

1) She has amnesia. 
2) She’s on the run from her father’s creditors. 
3) She’s enjoying her last days on earth. 

Ever since Jang Min Hee walked into Gio’s small museum, she’s given him one excuse after another about why she’s vacationing at scenic Boracay Island. Rarely has Gio’s neat and organized world been shaken like this. Soon he finds himself scrambling over rocks, hiding in dressing rooms, and dragging her out of bars. But how can Gio tell what's true from what isn't? Their worlds are getting unraveled -- one story at a time. 

***

What would you do if someone comes into your life and makes you realize that there are more things in store for you?

Gio is content with his life--his safe, uncomplicated, boring life--that is until the mysterious Min Hee comes along and drags him to her crazy, complicated world. And it's up to Gio to choose between his old life and the promise of something new.

You know, I'm no Kpop or Kdrama fan so when I took a chance on this book, I really did take a chance because I didn't know what was in store for me. But thank God I did because it was one of the best decisions I ever made (when it comes to books) this year. 

I like the characters in this book mainly because they're both on different ends of the spectrum. There's Gio, the "normal", uncomplicated, taking the conventional route guy who will make you smile and at the same time, want to whack his head for being soooo ordinary and afraid to take chances. Meanwhile, there's Min Hee--sweet, sassy, crazy, mysterious Min-Hee, whom you'll hate to love and love to hate. Together, they'll make you smile, make you squirm, and make you want to fall in love again.

Another great thing about this book is that it promotes Philippine Tourism. You'll love how the author put in all these Filipino elements--the island of Boracay, Calmansi Muffins, and so much more--and how it makes you want to travel the Philippines--whether you're from here and have been under a rock for so long or even if you're from other countries. There's just that big travel-bug touch that will make you want to see Aklan--or other Philippine islands if you haven't already.

The pacing was also pretty good. Not too fast, not too slow, perfect for those with very minimal attention span. You'll go "kilig", you'll cheer for Gio and Min-Hee, you'll wonder what the real story is. You'll wonder what the truth is. You'll wish the best for them, because they're the kind of couple who deserve the best.


And then of course, there are some conflicts. When that big heartbreaking conflict happened, I really just couldn't help but feel like crying. It's because the characters in this book are the kind that just...get to you. the kind that you feel for. And I guess, that's what makes this such a great read: The fact that the emotions are so real, they're almost tangible. And the ending? Man, it'll make you want to scream for more...

Cover (Story) Girl is the kind of book that has so much promise. It's the kind of book that you'd want to read over and over again. It's the kind of book you should be reading NOW! 

***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cover (Story) Girl is Chris Mariano’s first published romance work, but her speculative fiction and poetry have appeared in Fully Booked's Philippine Graphic/Fiction Awards Prose Anthology, Philippine Speculative Fiction Volume 7, TAYO Literary Magazine, and Ideomancer. When she’s not writing, she supports EskritoryoPilipinas, an organization that encourages kids to appreciate Filipino literature and culture. She divides her time between Manila and Aklan.

You can keep up with Chris through Twitter, her blog or through e-mail

***

Join the raffle below and get a chance to win 3 swag bags, a signed copy of Cover (Story) Girl, a set of postcards and bookmarks and vanilla shampoo/body wash! Sweet, huh?




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Saturday, September 14, 2013

A Saturday spent with books and food (and some shopping and strolling, yes)

So. Yesterday we went to the Manila International Book Fair and it was such a  blast. I swear I wanted to just live in there! I think bookworms would agree with me that there's just this certain high that you feel whenever you're in a place full of books. Like, you just want to get your hands on every book in there. 

At the entrance. 
I think this was the first photo we took yesterday. When I saw the Harry Potter poster, I just couldn't help but want to have our photo taken there. Certified Potterhead here, in case you still didn't know..








With my Summit Loot! I really died with the super sale there yesterday! Thanks pa to the sales man who let em go even without paying another peso. haha. I don't have coins anymore so there. Good people exist! lol 


loving this book. I can relate to Kimmy :D

Of course, I had to do the videoke. :D

My god. I wanted to cry right at this photo coz I was so scared that the wind would drag me down to the bay! haha. #Nonperksofbeingtoothin

Ah the famous MOA Eye. And trees that suffered the wrath of the heavy winds...

Merienda mode! Takuyaki style :D

Got this big big bear for a measly 200 Pesos. Thanks, Toy Kingdom :D

I finally found a back issue of Marian's Cosmo Cover last March. What can I say? I like her.

And got to pick this up from the OMF lit booth. Won this as a prize some days ago.

So there. My MIBF 2013 experience. It was worth the wait! 

Thursday, September 12, 2013

September.


  Two weeks gone and this month already has so much promise. I've never been a fan of September. I don't know, there's just something about the month that spells...sad. But this year, it's like, September opened up so many possibilities--both good and bad.
I've been writing a lot of articles this month and to be honest, I feel like it's the first month this year where I felt like...I'm finally trying to rebuild my life again after the mess that last year was. It feels good, you know? To feel like I'm able to do something again. To feel like I'm being productive again and that I feel better about myself again. 
Also, I've started doing book reviews for some book tours and it feels great. More lined up soon.
But of course there are some sad moments about September, too. Like, the fact that we lost three kittens this month. I've never lost such a number of pets in a month, more so in a week. To be honest, I still haven't moved on from that. Some nights, I still feel like crying because those pets have been my life for the past couple of months and then just like that, they died. It's never easy to deal with. Sometimes, I catch myself still waiting for them to come back. Hoping and praying that they'd come back. When you love someone, even if they're just pets, it's never easy to let them go. 
Maybe one day I'd forget, but right now, I still can't.


Vintage Love (Book Review + GIVEAWAY!)



Hello my lovelies! It's Agay Llanera's "Vintage Love" Book Tour's stop on my blog today courtesy of Book Junkie  Blog Tours and I'm glad I can share my thoughts with you about this wonderful book. Plus, you'll get a chance to win a paperback copy of this baby, too and then some amazing prizes, as well.

Title: Vintage Love
Author: Agay Llanera
Links: Amazon smashwords

26-year-old Crissy Lopez’s life is in dire need of a makeover. Her wardrobe revolves around ratty shirts and beat-up sneaks; her grueling schedule as a TV Executive leaves no room for a social life; and worst of all, she’s still hung up on the Evil Ex who left her five years ago.

When her fashionable grand-aunt passes away and leaves behind a roomful of vintage stuff, the Shy Stylista inside Crissy gradually resurfaces. Soon, she feels like she's making progress -- with a budding lovelife to boot! But the grim ghost of her past catches up with her, threatening to push her back into depression. To finally move on, Crissy learns that walking away is not enough. This time, she needs to take a leap of faith.

***

I LOVE this book. You see, there's Crissy who's in a dead-end job, in a dead-end life and is in dire need of something new to spice up her life. She's on the brink of losing it all while trying to maintain that "it's okay-nothing can hurt me" attitude and then she loses her Mama Maring whom she loves dearly and then decides to hold a garage sale and sell some of her lola's vintage items. 

During the garage sale, she meets the easy go lucky Vince. Vince who's soon going to change her life. Vince, who loves Vintage items, too. Vince who'll soon have her heart.

And so Crissy makes some changes in her life and allows some room for Vince in her heart. But the question is, is she really over her past? Or has she been the queen of running away from then on?

When her ex comes back, Crissy has to decide whether to live in the past or to choose the present and choose love. I swear, at this point in the book, I was like, "What the hell were you thinking, Crissy?!" but I liked how it made everything more realistic. Come on, we've all been that gaga at one point. We've all had those self-destructive moments. It's how we choose to move on from those--that's what matters.

I like how this book deals with the entertainment industry and the whole love for films, fashion and everything good and vintage. I like the emotions displayed in this book. I like how the characters seem so real, and so easy to relate to. I like how it was written--the way it's so easy to read and the way you won't be able to put it down. It's such a magical read so better get a copy, stat!
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About the Author
Agay Llanera is a freelance writer for television and video, and a published writer of children’s books. She is a member of KUTING, a private, non-stock, non-profit organization, which aims to be the Philippines’ foremost writers’ organization for children. Email her at agay.llanera@gmail.com.

You can also tweet her at @agayskee or visit her blog.***
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GIVEAWAY TIME!
Join the raffle below and get a chance to win

      1 Grand Swag Bag from Author Addie Lynn Co, including a paperback copy of Hello.
  3 Swag Bwags from Author Addie Lynn Co, including a paperback copy of Hello and trinkets
 3 Swag Bags from Author Agay Llanera, including a paperback copy of Vintage Love and trinkets




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