Luna East Arts Academy Volume 1: Kids These Days--Book Review

Hello February, and hello darlings!  Welcome to Luna East Arts Academy Volume 1's stop on my blog!

         

The stories from LUNA EAST ARTS ACADEMY are about love. And also, friends, food, kissing, rumors, mean people, insecurities, birthdays, breakups, making up. We set it in an arts academy because we wanted everyone to have a talent, and know it. Because no one is ordinary, if you know them well enough. 

Who are you, at LUNA EAST? Are you a popular kid, a wallflower, a drama club diva, a debate whiz? Visit lunaeastacademy.org to read more stories from #LUNAEAST, and submit your own. For readers 16 and up.

BOOK LINK:

Luna East Website: lunaeastacademy.org

Paperback Order Form: bit.ly/lunaeastv1

***

Welcome to Luna East Arts Academy, a place where your teenage fantasies are released, and where you can find yourself—or find people who can help you get to know yourself even more.

Luna East is a collection of short stories from today’s talented bunch of Filipino Authors. It’s a sneak peek about the lives of the students of Luna East Arts Academy, a fictional school where a lot of magic happens.

From childhood sweethearts, to love at first sight; to Cadet Training memories; teenagers trying to go against the Status Quo; to not being sure if the person you like likes you back; to picturing someone naked; getting rid of rumors and being true to yourself; Anime Conventions; Coffee shop talks; and learning to stand for yourself and for the people in your life, this book has it all.

What’s great about Luna East is that there is a variation of stories—no story is the same, but they also intertwine in such a way that you can find some of the characters in one story in the other. There’s continuity, for sure, but there is also variety, which makes it good, because as you well may know by now, some readers these days have little or close to zero tolerance for long books. With this one, they can read a lot of stories, and I’m pretty sure that they’ll find their favorites that they can read over and over again. Personally, I enjoyed “Sitting on a Tree” (Chrissie Peria), “Fifty Two Weeks” (Mina Esguerra), “The Rumor About Me” (Khristel Villar), “The Apple of My Eye” (Addie Lynn Co), “Senpai’s Number 1 Fan” (Anne Plaza), and “Picture Me Naked” (DR Lee) the most. They were cute, kilig, and really a delight to read.

Whether you’re in High School, or just want a reminder of what High School used to be like, this book is for you. It’ll make you smile, laugh, root for the characters, be happy and sad and feel some hate about some characters, and maybe even wish for more. After all, it’s High School, and there are all sorts of characters and all sorts of happenings involved. You'll realize that a kid from Luna East is a mirror of the person you used to be. 

The book also features awesome artwork from:

Richard Sy for Stella Torres' "Be Creative"

 Jonalyn Cabigting for Jen Suguitan's "Where do we go from here?"

Robert Wong for Anne Plaza's "Senpai\s #1 Fan"

Looking for a good read this lovely February? Then better check out this first volume of stories from the Academy. 

And, in case you have nothing better to do on February 8th, then why don't you come to the launch of Luna East Arts Academy Volume 1: Kids These Days at the Ayala Museum? It'll be fun and amazing. Plus, it's also the first anniversary of #RomanceClass, and best of all, it's for free! You'll get awesome freebies from Buqo and from Mina V. Esguerra, too! 

AUTHORS’ BIO:

Chrissie Peria is the author of All’s Fair in Blog and War, a contemporary romance novella featuring feuding travel bloggers in Macau. When not writing, she serves her tiny overlord Miffy and Miffy’s poodle/minion, Cooper. She also enjoys cooking, taking photos and playing with dolls. Chrissie is currently working on a contemporary YA romance featuring books and boys who like books.

Mina V. Esguerra writes contemporary romance, young adult, and new adult novellas. Her YA fantasy trilogy Interim Goddess of Love is about gods of Philippine mythology, in college. Through her blog Publishing in Pajamas (minavesguerra.com), she documents her experiments in publishing.

Ronald S. Lim has been writing for a newspaper for almost a decade now, but he’s been writing stories for much longer. He is co-author of the book 60 Minutes: Interview with People Who Inspire. He has more books than he has clothes.

Nurse by profession, educator at heart, Athena Claire Duenas has been a bookworm for as long as she can remember. Her passion for reading started when she “met” Archie Andrews in a store at the airport. Aside from reading, she enjoys writing short stories and reviews at thebookjunkie.weebly.com, playing the keyboard, and just cuddling with her dog, Frou-Frou.

Miles Tan likes inhabiting imaginary worlds, from fantasy books to sci-fi shows to cheeky mysteries to role-playing games. Her contemporary romance novella Finding X is available on Amazon.

M. Protacio-De Guzman works in the field of HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health. His poems and stories have been published in The Philippines Free Press, Sunday Inquirer Magazine, and The Philippines Graphic Magazine. He has also been anthologized in Ladlad 3: An anthology of gay writing in the Philippines edited by J. Neil Garcia and Danton Remoto. He also has ebooks available in Amazon and Smashwords, among others.

Writing has always been Kristel S. Villar’s first love, but it was only in her late 20s when she re-discovered her passion for writing fiction. When she is not busy daydreaming of story plots, she covers sporting events for a national broadsheet and takes care of her husband and son. She is addicted to coffee.

Alyssa Ashley Lucas gets her writing inspiration from the peaceful and beautiful scenery of her beloved hometown down south of the metro. She grew up together with Harry Potter and the Sweet Valley twins. She loves to read YA, detective stories, romance novels, classic novels, or any book that comes her way. She has always dreamed of becoming a writer.

Addie grew up reading Sweet Valley University and Nancy Drew mysteries. She finished a degree in Communication Arts and really wanted to pursue a career in filmmaking, but due to high production costs, she opted to tell her stories through her novels. Being the hopeless romantic that she is, she will stop at nothing to share her passion with everyone and hopes that she could infect others with it. She’s a daydreamer by day and an author by night. She has released her first book Hello: A Trilogy.

Anne Plaza has a degree in Psychology, but has actively pursued a career in writing in her previous work as a reporter and online editor. She currently works in the field of marketing communications and spends most of her time writing fiction (while not on the lookout for the nearest cupcake and cronut store).  Aside from writing, she loves to read contemporary romance, young adult, fantasy, and historical fiction. She also collects stamps and postcards, and loves everything about cats. Anne is based in Quezon City, Philippines. 

Jen C. Suguitan is a PR practitioner by day and a storyteller/ninja by night. Her love affair with words and letters was too strong that not even her differently-wired brain can actually stop her. She has written for different publications including a national broadsheet prior to diving into the PR industry.  When she’s not writing, she’s probably thinking of what to write about next.

D. R. Lee is a law student hailing from the Philippines. Outside of her academic endeavor, she does writing, painting, and a whole lot of reading. On a perfect day, she talks with the people inside her head and tells their stories through printed words. You can reach her by email at: drlee.peacelovebacon@gmail.com.

Jayen San Diego likes to share her imaginary world through writing. She is the author of Just A Little Rain, one of the novels produced during #romanceclass. She is a news archivist by day, fiction writer by night, and a self-confessed fangirl in between. Read about her thoughts about life, love, and writing at jayensandiego.blogspot.com

Stella Torres graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a concentration on creative writing. She also worked briefly in public relations and earned her master’s degree in special education before moving back to the Philippines. Stella is currently taking up her PhD in education at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. She writes novels, short stories, and unproduced screenplays when not establishing correlations between test scores.

The Revealed by Lana Henley--Cover Reveal

Tantalizing Promotions presents the cover reveal of the sequel to Lara Henley's "The Unknown (Flawed Series Part 1)", entitled "The Revealed"!

Misty Scott’s life was destroyed the moment her boyfriend, and father of her child, landed in jail. The only family she knew was lost due to lies and deceit. Where would her life take her now?

Drake sits behind bars battling a secret that will surely destroy his and Misty’s relationship. While Sean, the bad boy brother who is use to getting any woman he wants, finds himself helping Misty piece her life back together, and falling more and more in love with her every day.

Who will Misty choose? The golden boy who has given up everything for her, or the bad boy who is after his brother’s girl and her heart?

Dive into The Revealed

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20436079-the-revealed

Book Trailer:  http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uoCqyqTyjdY

And here is the much awaited book cover!

The Revealed will be available in March 2014!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lara Henley is originally from Oklahoma. She began writing in 2009, after a dream of a little girl who was travelling with her grandmother. She then ventured out into writing YA and Romance novels. She has a degree in Fashion Marketing and a Masters Degree in Administrative Leadership.

Catch up with her at:

Website: http://larahenley.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larahenl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/laraisadiva

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7092327.Lara_Henley

A Little Princess--Book Review

 

 Title: A Little Princess   

 Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett

Sara Crewe, an exceptionally intelligent and imaginative student at Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies, is devastated when her adored, indulgent father dies. Now penniless and banished to a room in the attic, Sara is demeaned, abused, and forced to work as a servant. How this resourceful girl's fortunes change again is at the center of A Little Princess, one of the best-loved stories in all of children's literature.

***

I don't know why it took me this long before deciding to read this book, but thank God I did. 

I've always loved Sara Crewe. Well, at least from the 90's cartoon adaptation, and its local Filipino movie adaptation, and I swear, every time that's on TV, I stop whatever I'm doing just to watch. And now, I understand even more why so many people like this story, and why this classic book has really stood the test of time. 

Sara is an inspiration, and this book is  beacon of hope. It's a simple story, sure. I mean, we've all encountered stories like this--girl gets punished because she's poor; girl is nice to all her friends even when the world is so bad to her; girl believes in magic, and hope, and kindness. But what makes this story special is the fact that you really will root for Sara. And though you may have heard or seen her story in more ways than one, once you read the book, it'll still leave you in awe, and you'd want to read more.

The message of hope is fully depicted in this novel. Sara, though a bit weird, and has this "Princess syndrome"--although it's a good kind of Princess Syndrome--will make you believe that it's important to have that sense of innocence within you, and that it's important to believe in the strength of the spirit, and the goodness of the human heart. It'll make you believe that if you can help people out, however little that help may be, you should do it because there's always someone who needs more than you do, and there's always someone who's in need of some help and friendship. And that sometimes, life is not fair, but you have to go through it and move forward, because if you don't, then what would happen to you?

It's also ironic how her good fortune is just on the other side of the wall, but you know what? I think it's a reminder that sometimes, no matter how near that good future/fortune of ours is, we still have to work a little more, and to strive harder, and deal with what life has to offer. After all, after the storm, when we've managed to go through it well, even if we feel like falling apart sometimes, what matters is that we make it through, and that we keep our sense of hope intact. 

There were times when Sara almost fell apart--but she held on, and soon, she found that happy ending, making her a true blue Princess, and someone worth emulating. 

Stay the Night: Sneak Peak + a little Collab surprise!

So, I told you guys last night that I'm working on something for #BuqoSteamyReads, right? Well, tonight I finally started working on it, and even came up with a title (Stay the Night)--which I'm not sure if I should stick with, but we'll see, we'll see...

Anyway, here's a little sneak peak of what I've been writing...

Okay, kids, sorry for corrupting your precious minds. HAHA!

Oh, and another fun fact: Miss Anne Plaza, author of "In Over her Head" and I decided to make our Alpha Males BFFs since they both own a resort! Tee-hee! This is going to be so much fun! 

So, there, watch out for this soon and Thank You! :)

Work in Progress

Will start working on my #BuqoSteamyReads story this week! (If you're wondering what #BuqoSteamyReads is, it's an online class headed by the awesome Miss Mina V. Esguerra. You can read more about it HERE, and check us out on Twitter and Facebook). Playlist above is something I made for inspiration... :)

So, each member of the class was assigned to write a steamy story in different story tropes. I was assigned the trope "The One that got away" and my first reaction was, "Weeee! I LOVE it!". I like the complexity of it, and I think the characters that I have in mind will work well with the plot.

We were also asked to choose the heal level that we would like to incorporate in our stories. I was torn between levels 2 and 3, and I chose 3, which means "sexy/sizzling" so yeah all the sexy Grey books that I read will finally be put to use. tee-hee.

I've actually written something a while back, and it's here: (I know, the handwriting sucks hahaha and yeah I kinda speak to myself...Why not? :))

Short progress but will work on it more later. And yeah, it's yet untitled, but it will be the story of Dianna  and Dylan, old flames who crossed paths again after Dianna ran away from her wedding day. Why did she run, and how would the fact that she saw Dylan again will affect her life right now? That's what you'll know later ;) 

So yes, I'm back to writing Fiction! After 2 months or so. Let's do this! :)

KK Hendin - Heart Breaths - Review + Dream Cast and GIVEAWAY

Hi y'all! (Yep, goin' country for this one lol) Welcome to KK Hendin's "Heart Breaths" stop on my blog.

Release date: November 5th 2013
Self-Published
Purchase: Amazon

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18361165-heart-breaths

After a tragedy nearly ripped 21 year old Madeline Darlington-Gray’s life in half, she's spent the past three years trying to put the pieces back together. But pieces never just fit back together, and when she's betrayed by those she trusts, everything crumbles. Shoving everything she owns into the trunk of her car, Maddie drives south, trying to run from her past.

Eno, North Carolina seems like the perfect place to hide. Working at a local café is light years from Maddie's Manhattan existence and for the first time in a while, she's finding her family. There's Grandma, the café owner; Samantha, the hairstylist next door with plans to make Maddie's life unsuck and Noie, the three year old girl who's stolen Maddie's heart.

And then there’s Gabriel Mendez, Noie’s single dad. He’s intrigued Maddie since the first time she met him, and while he has his own secrets, he wants more from her than just friendship. But the past never stays past, and all too soon, Maddie realizes she can't hide from hers. If she can't put the pieces of her shattered life together this time, she'll have no hope for a future.

A future she desperately wants.

***

This book was a pleasure to read, and I'm not just saying that.

This is a story of how someone comes to terms with the past by means of embracing the future, and by trying to make the most out of the present. 

Maddie has lost so much in her life, and it came to the point where in she doesn't have an idea about who she is anymore, and has no idea what she wants to do with her life. So she drives South, tries to find a new place for her to live in, and tries to find herself again. 

One of the things I enjoyed about this book is the fact that it's set in North Carolina, which works well for me, since I'm a big Nicholas Sparks fan and most of his works are set in North Carolina, too. The imagery was so there, and all the emotions needed were played out well in this story.

Another thing I loved about this book is the fact that it's very comforting to read and it's so hard to put down. You'll really want to know why Noie is the way she is; why she's not scared of Maddie; and how the relationship between Maddie and Gab will develop. It's a story that has so many layers to it, and that's what makes it beautiful. It's also the kind of book that will tug at your heartstrings, and really put the feelings into play. 

I think we can expect more from KK Hendin in the future. This book is a good debut, and it's something that you definitely have to try reading.

***

DREAM CAST

 

Melissa Benoist as Maddie

James Lafferty as Gab

Mimi Kirkland as Noie

***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KK Hendin's real life ambition is to become a pink fluffy unicorn who dances with rainbows. But the schooling for that is all sorts of complicated, so until that gets sorted out, she'll just write. Preferably things with angst and love. And things that require chocolate.

kkhendinwrites.blogspot.com | twitter.com/kkhendin

***

GIVEAWAY TIME!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Juli Valenti-A Little Broken

Title: A Little Broken
Author: Juli Valenti

Jessie Braden thought she had it all. A husband, a new baby – her life was on course, exactly what she always wanted…Until one day, she loses everything.

Ruined and broken, she’s left alone to pick up the pieces of her life. Unable to cope, she spontaneously packs up and moves across the country, hoping that new scenery will help.

Once in sunny Florida, she finds an apartment and a job but while Jessie is surviving, she isn’t living…until one night she meets someone. Dominick. 

Desperate for an escape from the pain of her memories, she relents to his unerring determination and agrees to spend time with him. 

Through his patience and understanding, she will learn that she’s not ruined…she’s just a little broken.

REVIEW

This is a book that will stir up your emotions.

I haven't been a mother yet, but I really felt for Jessie here. Juli Valenti was able to come up with a story that's at pace with the times but still has all the depth and emotions needed that's meant to make a great book.

Jessie is a woman whose life has thrown some big rocks to. She lost her baby, she lost her husband, and she has to deal with things on her own again. This is the story of a woman who has loved and lost, and who's trying to start all over again. It's the story of someone who sees that there's still more to life, and that sometimes, things fall apart so that better things can be given.

I like the fact that though she's not quite a popular author--yet--Juli Valenti didn't just write a novel that could be classified as "just okay"--she wrote something that's really good and would get to you. She wrote something that'll pull your heartstrings. She wrote something that you'll love.

If you're looking for a good beach read, or something that you can finish right away but will leave a mark in your heart, read this book. You won't regret it.

***

PLAYLIST

Daughtry - Gone Too Soon  

Linkin Park - Castle of Glass

Vast - You Destroy Me

Placebo - Running up that Hill

A Perfect Circle - Vanishing

Lifehouse - Broken

Switchfoot - Dare You to Move

Coldplay - The Scientist

Taylor Swift (featuring The Civil Wars) - Safe and Sound

HIM - Heaven Tonight

Barlow Girl - Never Alone (acoustic)

Hoobastank - Running Away

Dixie Chicks - Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)

Enigma - Gravity of Love

Tyler Wards and Two Worlds - Roar (Acoustic Cover)

***

About the Author

Juli lives in Florida with her husband Marc, her sons Dylan and Landon, their pug Pugsley and a cat named Duck.

She spends her days at an orthopaedic office and juggles her nights between writing and her editing (Juli's Elite Editing).

Juli is currently working on several projects, the main one being a Contemporary Romance/Inspirational novel named A Little Broken. She is hoping to release this by January - So be sure to keep your eyes peeled!

Rita Cosby - Blonde Ambition--Book Review

Title: Blonde Ambition
Author: Rita Cosby

First book I finished reading this 2014! yay! :)

This is the untold story of the events that led up to Anna Nicole Smith's death in 2007. As a Pop-Culture geek, and some sort of a fatalist, when I came across this book, I realized that I really had to buy it because I always like getting an inside look regarding these mysterious Hollywood Deaths. 

Anna Nicole's death affected me in such a way that back then, it really opened up my mind to what drugs can do to someone. She was trying to get her life back, but people around her were vicious, and yes, she really fell into the perils that greed, loneliness and despair can bring. 

This book was written well and is a fast-paced read. I barely like non-fictional books because they bore me but this one was very effective. It was written with the help a series of investigations, and is something that will help you understand what happened to Anna Nicole Smith. It's shocking, it's poignant, and it's albeit disturbing, but worth reading.

Whether or not you were a fan of the deceased model, this book is worth spending your time on.