Monday, July 28, 2014

Gezellig 2: (Un)breakable--Interview with the Author, Kesh Tanglao

 Title: Gezellig 2: (Un)breakable
Author: Kesh Tanglao


Lorin Perez's life is finally back on track after almost losing it six years ago. She knows meeting and dating sizzling hot professional rugby player Spence Clarke is a huge part of her healing process. But with her father starting a new family, she decides to follow her best friend Caitlin to UK--Spence's home country--and start a new life.

However, moving to UK brings certain complications in the form of Gezellig band member Nigel Whitmore, a.k.a. the one who didn't follow through three years ago. And even though Lorin is very clear about her no commitment rule, Nigel ignores this and pursues Lorin like never before.

Caught between the man who made her feel safe and the one who makes her feel alive, will she finally be able to set her heart free and make the right choice?


***
So, I got the chance to ask Kesh a few questions about this book and more and here's what she had to say:

1.  Gezelig 2 (Un)Breakable is not only about the music business but you have also introduced the readers to sports, in the form of Spence the hot Rugby player. What made you decide to do this? 
Kesh: I decided to introduce rugby primarily because the sport--and the team--deserve more exposure. I met these players, and they're really good at what they're doing. I know the sport hasn't really become big yet, like basketball or football, but I think it's one sport that the Filipinos could really excel in. 

2. How do you feel about what happens between Marcus and Caitlin in this installment? Was it a conscious effort on your part to develop their story like that or it just happened? 
Kesh: Is this in reference to the ending? It was a conscious effort. Initially there were more of their scenes in this one, but it was diluting Lorin's story, so we had to take them out. Their story was already plotted right after the first book, and I had to get them there. (I'm sorry, don't hate me. *holds up a peace sign*)

3. If you were Lorin, who would you choose: Nigel or Spence? :>
Kesh: Oh boy! I feel like I'm going to shoot myself in the foot to answer this. At this point in my life, I'd choose Spence. A few years down the road, I know I need Nigel. :) (I badly want to expound on this, but I don't want to spoil!) 

4. You are a true-blue fangirl. What was the craziest thing you ever did as a fan?
Kesh: Ask me a few months back, and I'd say the craziest thing I ever did was to go to meet and greets and ask for pictures. Now, I think I upped the ante: fall in line for 17 hours for tickets to a concert (with very little food, too much stress, and I got sick after!). Also, the rugby player who inspired Spence knows about this book (eep.)

5. Lastly, what in your life would you consider as "unbreakable"?
Kesh: Love for and faith in my family. I may not always see them, but I know they have my back. :) 

 

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Gezellig 2:(Unbreakable) -- Book Review

Author: Kesh Tanglao

Lorin Perez's life is finally back on track after almost losing it six years ago. She knows meeting and dating sizzling hot professional rugby player Spence Clarke is a huge part of her healing process. But with her father starting a new family, she decides to follow her best friend Caitlin to UK--Spence's home country--and start a new life.

However, moving to UK brings certain complications in the form of Gezellig band member Nigel Whitmore, a.k.a. the one who didn't follow through three years ago. And even though Lorin is very clear about her no commitment rule, Nigel ignores this and pursues Lorin like never before.

Caught between the man who made her feel safe and the one who makes her feel alive, will she finally be able to set her heart free and make the right choice?


***
If you loved THE REAL SCORE then you'll certainly love (UN)BREAKABLE, too.  This one focuses on Lorin, Caitlin's best friend and how she's torn between two lovers--or something like it. Not to worry though because you'd still see how Cait and Marcus are doing and there certainly are loads of surprises here and there.

Lorin is a strong woman who asserts her right to choose but that doesn't mean that she never gets confused (seriously, with two hot guys like that, how can you not?). With her new choices in life comes complications and that's what she has to deal with. 

The characters are well-written. You can just see through them and it's so hard not to fall in love or get attached to them. 

What's great about this book is that even though the story is not as realistic as you want it to be, the beauty is that it makes you dream and hope that maybe, someday, you'll find your own person, too. You'll find that person who will be right for you in every possible way, whatever twists and turns may lay ahead. As a fangirl, it's good to know that someone writes about your hopes and aspirations in life. 

If you would like a book that'll make you kilig and make you want to finally decide on what you have to do in life, this certainly is it.

***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kesh Tanglao is a lover of books, music, and TV shows. A self-proclaimed fangirl, she likes cheering for her favorite sports teams and supporting her favorite artists. When she's not writing (or fangirling), she works as a researcher.


 



Thursday, July 10, 2014

The Real Score by Kesh Tanglao: Excerpt Reveal + GIVEAWAY!



Hi Darlings!

Gezellig 2: (Un)breakable is out on the 16th but before we delve into the world of Gezellig once again, why not read The Real Score, the first book in the series first?

What's it about:
 
Caitlin's friendship with Marcus, the de facto frontman of the world's biggest boy band Gezellig, has long been an object of scrutiny by almost everyone--their friends and families, the media, and his fans--ever since they "went public" a couple of years back. Who wouldn't be interested? She was a nobody, catapulted into the limelight of his fame when he struck an unusual friendship with her.


To both Caitlin and Marcus, what they have is a "perfect little thing." But then something comes along and threatens it.

In a no-holds-barred interview, will they finally be forced to settle the score?


Purchase links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Smashwords
Here's an excerpt from the book:


MANILA! Excited for tonight’s show. Wanna hear you loud and proud, ayt? .xx M #giveusachance

It was one in the afternoon when I woke up from my ‘real’ sleep, and Twitter was the first thing I checked. I searched for Marcus, found the Twitter account with the check on it. Verified, with six million followers.

That was his first tweet since landing in the Philippines yesterday, and I grinned at the hashtag. I clicked follow, searched for his other bandmates, and followed them, too.
Oh Caitlin, what is happening to you?
I tapped on my phone, pulled up a name, and then called it.
“Tan!”
I smiled. I could hear Gezellig blasting in the background. “Lorin, please turn it down! You’d want to hear this!”
I heard a click and the music stopped. “Preparing for the big night, I see,” I said.
“Of course. I’m listening to their playlist tonight. I sent you the songs they’re going to sing tonight, so give them a listen, will you?”
I sighed, checking my inbox, and true enough, the setlist was there. “Yeah, I got it.”
“So what’s up, Ms. Killjoy?”
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t keep the grin off my face. “Well, see, I, Ms. Killjoy, just spent the night at Marcus’ hotel room.”
I had to keep the phone away from my ear at the high-pitched squeal that Lorin let out. “ARE YOU FRIGGING SERIOUS, CAITLIN SAMANTHA TAN?”
I put the phone back on my ear when I deemed it was safe. “I am staring at a couple of CDs—signed—which he wants me to listen to. His CDs trump your playlist.”
“Arrrrrgh!” she said, and I could hear her accosting a pillow with what sounded like her fists. “This is unbelievable! I leave you at the restaurant and he sees you?”
I laughed, feeling sorry for the pillow.
“Give me the details,” she demanded, and finally stopped punching the pillow. I gave her a Cliffnotes version of the night. At the end of it, I could almost imagine Lorin melting at the other line because of envy.
“You are so going tonight,” she declared.
“Hey, the agreement is that I should listen first and then if I liked it, that’s the only time that I’m going to come.”
“But Marcus wants you there! Why wouldn’t you want to go?”
I sighed. “It’s just that…” I stopped, gathering my thoughts. It’s just that what? I had fun last night and I really did find Marcus a pretty interesting guy to talk to, and I didn’t want to admit that because I never liked Gezellig? That despite saying his smile doesn’t affect me, I actually dreamt about it? That his eyes were glorious, and I sound so much like a fangirl right now?


Excited already? Well, here's something even more awesome: A GIVEAWAY from the author herself! Join below:


 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*ABOUT THE AUTHOR*


Kesh Tanglao is a full-time market researcher. When she’s not crunching numbers, she spends most of her free time watching TV shows, listening to music, and reading. Also a self-proclaimed fangirl, she likes cheering for her favorite sports teams and supporting her favorite artists.