Life, Lately (04) + Bookish News!

It has seriously been forever since I last posted here but life has been craaaaazy. There are days when I’m just seriously exhausted and have no time for anything else, and when I do have time I just feel like I want to eat and sleep and walk the dog (lol)…but seriously, it’s been a tiring couple of weeks.

Plus…well, I’ve also been going through a depressive phase. For a time, there were certain things I felt I had to stop (such as writing books, tbh) because I felt like it was going nowhere. I kind of felt like I wasn’t good enough. That has been playing in my head for a while and it was sad and I thought, maybe, I should stop BUT, you know…life really works in mysterious ways because just when I felt like giving up, a certain email popped up in my inbox that made me realize that sometimes, you really just have to wait, especially if you have done your part (because what would you wait for if you have not done your part, right?) and what you’re waiting for will come. I also remembered this conversation I had with a friend (Hi, Kaye!), about dreams and not giving up on your passion, because really, what would life be like if you’d give up altogether?

Well, going back to the email… it’s not exactly what I wanted, but it’s close. Imagine being one of the chosen ones (HAHA not like Harry but that would be good, too) among many (I know, cryptic, will divulge when I could but not now…). What I’m saying is, maybe this will finally lead me to what I really, really want. Maybe, it’s a test. You’ll know soon, but for now (for a taste of it), do read THIS.

And to know more about that, you can subscribe to my newsletter at: http://ift.tt/1OYdEcM

Another bookish news: you can order a copy of this compilation some of my colleagues and I made. It’s called Project TIMES: Hearts For Sale, and you could order your paperback copy here: bit.ly/HeartsForSale

Anyway, going back to other things, I’ve been walking a lot recently because #ChewytheDog loves the outside world so much lol. Still a cat lady though!

What I’ve been reading

Haven’t been reading so much, too L Except for certain articles here and there, and I’ve only read only 15 books this year (that’s a lot for some but not for me but my ADD’s really getting worse…) Most recent reads are:

1. Rainbow Rowell – Kindred Spirits
2. Jojo Moyes – After You
3. Jessica Love – In Real Life
4. OJ Simpson – If I did it (THIS MADE ME SICK TO MY STOMACH UGH)

Currently reading Marcia Clark’s Without a Doubt.

What I’ve been watching

1. American Crime Story: The People vs OJ Simpson. This is so good (and I’m obviously obsessed, if you could tell by what I’ve also been reading recently). It kind of inspires me to do more, do something like that (not KILL OMG but create something as artistic, and as good as that). It’s the kind of show that’s worth watching.
2. How to Get Away with Murder! STOP TRYING TO MAKE WES-LAUREL HAPPEN IT’S NEVER GONNA HAPPEN. But seriously, still twisted and gooooood
3. OUAT. IT’S BACK!!! AND DARKER!
4. Damien. Just started watching this and it’s super creepy! I like how they’re using old The Omen footages though. And I’m really scared of saints (at least the figures), big ones (Ikr it’s weird but they really freak me out) and this show UGH !!!!
5. Pretty Little Liars. #Spaleb

Also American Idol is really good this season!!!! Grease: LIVE was also amazing! Still watching Supergirl, some Recovery Road, and Tyler: The Hollywood Medium, amongst others lol. Oh, and a lot of Late Late Show with James Corden!

Current Favorite Tunes (aka songs on repeat)

1. Alex and Sierra – Back to You
2. Alex and Sierra – I Love You
3. We the Kings ft Elena Coates – Sad Song
4. Zayn – Pillowtalk (IKR LOL)
5. Kelly Clarkson – Piece by Piece (Idol Version)
6. Fifth Harmony ft Ty Dolla Sign– Work from Home
7. New Radicals – Get What You Give (old one but I’ve been playing it a lot)
8. Charlie Puth ft Selena Gomez – We Don’t Talk Anymore
9. Carly Rae Jepsen – All That
10. Nick Fradiani – Beautiful Life
11. The Corrs – I Do What I Like
12. Seafret – Sinking Ship
13. Nickel Creek – This Side
14. Lana del Rey – Freak
15. Chvrches – Clearest Blue

That’s it for now, I guess…So how’ve you guys been doing?

P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe to http://ift.tt/1OYdEcM. Making this blog more interactive. Let’s do this!

 

Get to know #IncredibleTruths + Launch on the 24th

After a month or so of classes, my classmates and I were able to produce 10 amazing stories set in 10 incredible worlds, making up the #StrangeLit #IncredibleTruths bundle! This is available on BUQO for just $1.99 or P90–for a limited time only! Regular price is P250 so grab it while it’s fresh–and super affordable!

Learn more about the bundle below!

Beware the tale that distracts you with the telling — it’s planting a truth in your mind, and you may find yourself believing in the incredible too. 

Bloodline Maharlika (Anne Plaza)

There’s nothing ordinary about Owenn Magpantay the moment awareness seeped through her consciousness. A demi-goddess born from the line of maharlika and Bathala himself, Owenn is the hope for peace between mortal and the divine. But when the god Apolaki decried Bathala’s love for humans, Owenn became his ultimate target. Together with her half-sister, the bathaluman Mayari, they travel to present day Manila where Owenn must eventually face the evil of Apolaki with the help of Companions descended from the warrior nobility.

Shake-Ups (Elea Andrea Almazora)

Rosie Rivas is, for the most part, unshakeable–as long as she and her father are left alone. But between freak earthquakes, unexpected guests, and even more unexpected family secrets, she finds herself facing a choice:

Will she hold steady, or will she be brave enough to shake things up?

As the Night Ends (Alveel Kaith C.)

C is the one you go to when your life needs saving.

Need to pass an entrance exam? No sweat.

Girlfriend’s birthday approaching and you don’t have a gift? She’ll have it before the day ends.

Sex tape needs to be deleted in boyfriend’s computer? Can you give her something more challenging than that?

C cleans up your mess, and that’s practically all you need to know.

The job was supposed to be simple. Pretend to be a high school classmate’s girlfriend for the weekend, look pretty, and answer all questions appropriately. But then she finds herself awakened in the middle of the night and brought to a clearing where said classmate started spouting words like monsters, redemption, war, and savior.

31st (Cindy dela Cruz)

Beneath the glamour, underground creatures lurked.

Stormy Hollow: The Hunt for the Divine Necklace (LC Mills)

Stormy Hollow, Georgia.

A land filled with willow trees, trellises, and flowers of every kind. Beautiful. Enchanting.
But never what you imagine it to be.
For in Stormy Hallow, witches lives. Witches, who are the descendants of the survivors of the Salem Trial who decided to build their own community and call it Stormy Hollow. They kept it protected from the outside world, but not to their own breed.

The Divine Necklace

Centuries ago, a war ensued over the original batch of witches that prompted them to be divided into two: the coven, and the alliance.
The alliance had the Divine Necklace to protect them—the necklace that’s considered as the most powerful thing in the wizarding world.

Then

Sixteen years ago, members of the coven, and the alliance, had an argument that led to the worst fight they had in years, killing members of the coven, including the Hazels—leaders of the coven, and prompting the survivors to cast a spell on members of the alliance, saying that they’ll never be allowed in Stormy Hollow again.
But Hera Miller, leader of the alliance, cast a curse, saying that by the time the last witches turn sixteen, a new war would ensue. She also took half of the divine necklace with her, without the coven’s knowledge.

Now

Alexandra and Achelois Hazel have finally turned sixteen.
But little did they know that their celebration wouldn’t really be a celebration, but a sign of things to come.
For their birthday marks the new wizarding war.
And nothing is going to stop the alliance now.

A Sky of Wishes (Kristel Ann Cruz)

A world governed by logic and rules does not have time for childhood fantasies like wishing stars, or so we thought. After Stella gets diagnosed with a terminal illness, Aries turned to the sky and pleaded for his mother to be healed. Imagine his surprise when a Star manifests itself to him, willing to give him anything he wishes for. There is only one rule: Everything comes with a price. With his mother’s life on the line, how far could he go? In a battle between fates and wishes, what would Aries be willing to give up?

The Secret Society (SJM Fuertes)

Eighteen-year old, Maxine Drew is in search for the real reason why her dad died 8 years ago. As she begins her journey, she bumps into Seth, a guy from the Modern World who eventually takes her to LocHelm Academy, where everyone has a unique ability to help save the people of the Cosmos from the gruelling hands of the Government. Will she be able to discover herself and survive the future?

Talulikas Chronicles (Clark Feliciano)

For buddies Allan and Isagani, this semester would be just the same as the last. Notes to take, exams to pass and projects to be submitted. Plus of course there was Lillian, who behaved like a diva almost every morning making them rush to class and beat the bell. When Marissa, Lilian’s childhood friend arrives and decides to enroll at the same school, things take an unexpected turn. A warrior, a damsel in distress and an overwhelmed companion. What else could possibly go wrong?

Nexus Book 1: Anathema (Ysa Arcangel)

When the world was young, supernatural creatures walked among mankind freely. Chaos reigned as the supernatural beings sought supremacy. The human race was nearly wiped out of the face of the earth. Dark creatures preyed on the weaker. Demons inhabited human bodies and angels fell in love with them, hence Nexi, the cursed, were born.

Anathema has always seen strange things but never knew exactly why. Despite the pain, misery, agony and suffering it brings her, she has learned to accept her unique ability. As she strives to find out the reason for being able to travel through different realms and being a magnet to spirits of the dead, she realizes how little she knows about the truth of her existence.

When she is thrust in the middle of a war, a war that had been going on since the beginning of creation, she is joined by her longtime friend Alex, and a dark, mysterious stranger named Calix, who seemed to know more about her than she does herself.

Now Anathema must make a choice — one that will save one world and destroy the other. Will she turn her back to the light she had always known and embrace the darkness within her?

Viva Voce (DJ Paguraya)

An immortal man and a quest to protect history from those who dare seek to rewrite it. But when an important information proved that a mythical society is real, the threat to history is more than one man can handle.

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You’ll get all 10 of those stories for just $1.99/P90!  

 Launch is on October 24th at Recession Coffee, 3rd Floor, Eastwood Mall! Apart from #IncredibleTruths, you’d also get to check out 3 other #StrangeLit bundles, too, but you can start buying and reading your copies now! Giveaways await at the launch event, so see you there!

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. 

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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! 

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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. 

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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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