Book review

Winter Wishes

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I’ve been putting off from reading this ARC from Netgalley. Why? Well, because the summary for the stories in this book was sinfully delicious and I wanted to find the right time to read it so that I would not be disturbed. I managed to pick up this book last night and boy, was I ecstatic to find that the summary actually did the stories justice. The stories in this book is sinfully delicious to read, literally.

Winter Wishes featured 3 novellas written by 3 different author: Vivi Andrews, Vivian Arend and Moira Rogers. Each and every one of these books are unique and creatively written. They’re all refreshing and romantic, but not exactly in the conventional and tradition way, considering that the settings are paranormal.

Thumbs up for all three books in Winter Wishes, and if you’re looking for an adventurous romance kinda book, you ought to read this one. You won’t be disappointed.

From the back of the book:

Tangled Tinsel
By Vivian Arend
She’s the cat’s meow, and he’s ready to pounce!

Five miles of leather-clad leg is all it takes to lure Kyle Branegan out from his carefully hidden lifestyle as part of the Cougar Corp, a secret branch of the Shifter Enforcer League. He’s hoping for a night of fun and frolic, cat-style, no strings attached. With a sultry swing of her hips, Eloise Scott tangles him up in her ball of tricks, and just when he thinks he’s about to get lucky, she cuffs him-naked-to her bed.

An undercover cop in the human police force, El’s been given a top-secret mission to keep the big cat under her paw until he’s needed to testify in court in the New Year. Her decision to take him home for a quiet Christmas in her sleepy hometown turns out to be far more interesting than she expected. Her parents are suddenly rich, her old boyfriend is sniffing around and all six-feet-plus of sexy cougar male is sleeping in her bed.

And that’s before they announce their fake engagement…

No Angel
By Vivi Andrews
When Sasha’s boyfriend, Jay, is sucked through a fiery vortex to Hell, an angel reveals that Sasha’s been chosen as the Champion of Virtue in the battle for his immortal soul. As a perennial offender on Santa’s naughty list, Sasha can’t believe she’s anyone’s idea of a girl fighting on the side of the angels. But if she doesn’t save Jay, he’ll be stuck in Hell forever!

Jay-aka Jevroth-isn’t surprised to find himself back in Hell. His visa to visit the mortal plane expired three months ago, but to steal more time with Sasha he’s been ignoring his mother’s demands that he come home to spend time with his new stepfather: Lucifer.

Sasha has until dawn on the twenty-fifth of December to fight the Legions of Hell and rescue Jay, or be trapped there for eternity herself. But now she must decide if the lying son-of-a-demon is even worth saving…

Freeze Line
By Moira Rogers
She can’t survive in his world; he can’t stay sane in hers

A twenty-first century ice age dulls the magic that emanates from the earth. Shane Sullivan is a lone wolf above the freeze line. He has no desire to join the packs that range closer to the border, where feral instincts can turn a man into a monster. Not until the winter solstice, when he stumbles across a dying witch who needs his help to get back to her people-and her magic-in the south.

Nadia is a powerful woman in her own world, but she’s been drained by her escape from captivity in a northern lab. She knows it’s foolhardy to trust a werewolf, but he’s her only chance to survive the vast white wilderness. The farther south they travel, the harder it is for Shane to keep the beast within under control, and as their mutual attraction intensifies, Nadia’s no longer sure she wants him to.

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Book review, writing

Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer

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I’m a freelance writer myself, and therefore, when I saw this ARC of ‘Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer’ by Moira Allen, available for review in Netgalley, I knew I had to have it, by hook or by crook. After all, knowledge and tips on how to start/ expand your career as a freelance writer is not exactly easily available publicly.

Some of the tips in this book is one of those best kept secrets in the writing industry. Not many will want to share such knowledge with others, so personally, I think this book is a real gem.

If you’re looking for tips on how you can fully utilize your talent in writing and start freelancing, this book is a must have.This is a very useful, no-nonsense book. Very good, thumbs up for the in depth coverage in many areas.

From the back of the book:

The second edition is completely revised and updated to cover online writing, newspapers, columns, international markets, copyediting, and teaching. Learn how to:

-        Develop marketable story ideas

-        Write effective queries

-        Set realistic writing goals

-        Make time for writing

-        Hone research and interview techniques

-        Create outlines and first drafts

-        Approach editors on- and off-line

-        Prepare and submit material

-        Understand rights and contracts

-        Manage income, expenses, and taxes

-        Write and market a nonfiction book

With up-to-date information and effective tips, this all-inclusive reference gives writers the competitive advantage they need to break into the freelance writing market. Everyone wanting to make money as a writer, whether full-time or to supplement an existing career, must have this book.

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Book review

Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer

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I could still remember that sometimes, I hate fairy tales as a child. They lacked action, and the princesses in the stories are always ‘damsel in distress’ sort of girl. And they’re always waiting for their prince or knight in shining armour to rescue them from the tower or something. I did not exactly fancy those sweet and docile fairy tales. It annoys me that the princesses or the heroines always have to depend on men in order to have their ‘happily ever after’. My dad always have to make up his own stories where the heroines are much more dynamic instead of just docile.

After reading Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Ms. Maureen McGowan, I knew I had to have more of these twisted fairy tales where the heroine is full of courage and bravery instead of merely princesses who were dreaming for their true love while being locked away in a tower.

Like Cinderella, Ms. McGowan’s Sleeping Beauty is another dynamic character, and like Cinderella, I adore Ms. McGowan’s version of Sleeping Beauty, and I had a lot of fun making decision on Sleeping Beauty’s behalf as I read along. This is really a fun book, and I would suggest this to every young adult and those young at heart if they’re looking for something different in a fairy tale. Thumbs up for Ms. McGowan’s Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended to those who loves action-packed fairy tales.

I received this ARC from Baker & Taylor Publishing Group (Silver Dolphin Books) via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review for this book, and I was not compensated in any ways for reviewing this book.

Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer will be released on 1st April 2011, and you can pre-order it from Barnes And Noble/Amazon.

More information on the author, please head over to her website HERE.


Cleffairy: I kinda hate stories about meek, submissive women. We’re more than just a damsel in distress, waiting for the knight in shining armour in a locked tower!

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A Penny For Your Thoughts, Book review

Women of The Bible

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Women of The Bible by Carol Smith, Ellyn Sanna, Rachael Phillips is a reference guide on the women whose lives were immortalized in the bible. I have always been fascinated and intrigued by the stories about the women in the bible. But my comprehension on the bible is rather limited, as the bible is not exactly written in a modern, every-day language. Unless I read those bibles that are meant for little children, I don’t exactly understand what the bible is trying to tell me.

This ‘Women of The Bible’ visual guide helps me to understand the ancient women in the bible alot. I used to have difficulties imagining how the life of women in biblical times is like, but this visual guide helped me a lot. This visual guide also points out that even though men are more highlighted in the bible, the women does not exactly serves just as a background.

Women in the bible too played important roles in creating history.Stories of strong women were portrayed very vividly in this visual guide, and I enjoyed this visual guide a lot. It doesn’t feel as if I was reading something related to the bible, but I felt as if I was going though an in depth case study about the women in the bible.

Thumbs up for this book, and if I were to rate it, I’d give it a gleaming 5 stars.

I received this ARC for review from Barbour Publishing via Netgalley. I was not compensated in any way for this review.

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Book review

Secrets Volume 28 Sensual Cravings

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It’s was a very cold Sunday, and I decided that there’s no better way to warm up than to read adult fiction that is more than hot enough to burn the sheets. Secrets Volume 28 Sensual Cravings is a collection of stories written by four authors. They’re Juliet Burns, Kate St. James, Jennifer Lynne and Kathleen Scott. Each and every one of their stories are unique and very tantalizing. This book is definitely something worth reading, and I assure you that this will make your uneventful Sunday be more… exciting. This book will guarantee you a sensual adventure and not to mention escapism from reality, if you’re actually looking for any. Thumbs up for Secrets Volume 28 Sensual Cravings. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

From the back of the book:

THE PIRATE’S POSSESSION – JULIET BURNS

When Lady Gertrude Fitzpatrick tries to bargain with a fierce pirate for escape across the water to her childhood home, she unwittingly becomes the possession of Merciless MacGowan, a fierce privateer on the run from Cromwell’s army. Ewan MacGowan has been betrayed and mistakenly exacts revenge on this proud noblewoman. He may have stolen the lady’s innocence, but buried beneath her plain exterior lies a hidden treasure he never thought to find: the true woman of his heart.

SEDUCING SERENA – JENNIFER LYNNE

Serena Hewitt has given up on love. Her experience has taught her there’s no such thing as ‘Mister Right’, but when she interviews for a potential partner she’s not prepared for her overpowering sexual attraction to Nicholas Wade, a fun-loving bachelor with bad-boy good looks and a determination to prove her wrong. But Nick’s hiding a secret that might just do the opposite. Can two people afraid of love risk exposing their hearts one last time?


MIND GAMES – KATHLEEN SCOTT

Damien Storm is a Varti-a psychic who can connect to one special person to communicate with telepathically. For three years he’s tried in vain to get his Vartek partner, Jade, to acknowledge their link, but fear has made her keep him at a distance, even as he’s bared his heart and soul to her in order to gain her trust. He will do anything to know the sweetness of her body and mind in closer proximity, but first he must save her from the forces of the government who wish to see all Varti destroyed.

KISS ME AT MIDNIGHT – KATE ST. JAMES

TV co-hosts Callie Hutchins and Marc Shaw fake an on-air romance to top November sweeps, but before long the battle of the sexes burns up the sheets and the ratings. Callie thinks Marc is a womanizer who should help her snag her dream job…on the other side of the country. As the month progresses, however, she realizes Marc isn’t the handsome playboy he portrays on their show–he’s funny, kind, and too sexy for words, damn it. So…can she give him up when November ends?

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Book review

The Complete Visual Bible

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I’m a believer. I’m literate, and yet I still have difficulties understanding God’s word through the bible. I don’t really understand what God is trying to say through the bible though now I have no difficulties reading a page or two before I sleep.

It saddens me that I could not understand what He is trying to tell us. And it makes me unhappy that sometimes, I cannot imagine the object or events that has been described by the scriptures.

I have a lot of questions when I read the Holy Book. I’m not sure whether it is normal for a believer to question a lot of thing or not, but I’ve always wondered alot of things when I read the bible. The FAQ that always comes to my mind is:

1. Is God saying that East of Eden is a place on Earth? If He is saying that, where exactly is the Garden of Eden located? Where was it exactly in the ancient times?

2. How does Noah’s Ark looks like? How did Noah fed the animals during the flood?

3. Since human are all but wiped out from existence during Noah’s times… does this mean all human now are descendant of Noah?

4. Were there any discrimination before the Tower of Babel happened? People used to speak the same language before the Tower of Babel happened… and discrimination towards people who speaks different languages or people with different skin colour was unheard of.

5. How does exactly Tower of Babel looks like?

There are loads of questions that came to my mind when I read the Bible. And sometimes… I felt that it contradict one another… perhaps because my knowledge is not enough to understand it fully… that’s why I felt that way? I don’t know, but this ‘Complete Visual Bible’ by Stephen M. Miller helps answer some of my questions…it helps me ‘see’ how objects described in the bible looks like and it certainly helps me understand the socio-politic and the socio-economy during the biblical times.

This bible is helpful for those who wants to understand the bible fully. I highly recommend this for use in the Sunday classes in church. 5 star for this bible. It’s very helpful.

I received this ARC from Barbour Publishing via Netgalley. I was not required to give a positive review for it.

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Book review

Advent of A Mystery

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Truth be told. I wasn’t exactly interested in this book when I first saw it in for review in Netgalley. The cover does not look attractive enough for me, but I have come to learn to never judge a book from it’s cover, especially if the book in question is offered for free as an ARC.

I’m glad I requested Advent of a Mystery by Marilyn Leach, for it’s really a thrilling mystery to read. The story and the plot was sensational, and somehow, it reminds me of the time when I was still working in the newsroom  as a reporter.

Advent of a Mystery was set in a quaint fictional English Village. The story starts off with Berdie Elliott, a retired investigative reporter, and her retired husband. Her husband is now a parish priest and a respectable member of the society and they’re starting a new life together.

During the annual Christmas party, words seem to fly between some of the parish members which eventually leads to murder. Strange enough, they already have a suspect tried and convicted before they even have them caught. Naturally Berdie being who she is starts investigating right away even though her husband is determined to keep her out of it.

There are alot of  questions that came to my mind when I read this book.They are:

Who did kill Miss Livingstone who is better known as “The Lavender Lady” Was it the new stranger in town or one of the locals or was it someone that Berdie knew?

Could the Advent wreath and candles hold a clue to the murder of the innocent lady? Does the death of a old war hero years ago fit into the picture somehow?

Anyway, this is a thrilling book to read. There’s a lot of element embedded into this fiction, and I enjoyed it very much. This book have a homey feeling, and it’s one book that you would not want to miss, especially on a rainy day.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

From the back of the book:

For lovers of classic Agatha Christie mysteries and Jan Karon village characters, this English set mystery is sure to please. Berdie Elliott, the wife of the new parish priest, thought she left her old life as an investigative reporter behind her, but she soon discovers a village full of secrets when a man dies at a Christmas celebration. Could a clue to his demise be hidden in an advent wreath? Can Berdie curb her natural instincts to get involved in both a mystery and a romance, or will she let the local law handle things?

I received this ARC from Barbour Publishing via Netgalley.


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Uncategorized

Cinderella: Ninja Warrior

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You know something? I hate it when people control me like some bimbo-ish marionette on strings, doing whatever her puppeteer willed her to do. Hated it to the very core, and I hated it even more when not only I had to be a marionette, but also being gagged up and the ventriloquist voice whatever lies they want to tell through MY VOICE! The nerve they had! If only I can find some bloody scissors and cut off the bloody strings and shove some shit into the ventriloquist’s esophagus!

I was feeling rather twisted and not quite in the mood today. In fact, my personal volcano is waiting to be erupted. And so… trying to calm myself down, I picked up a book that I can actually twist and control.

Yes… I picked up fairytale with a twist- Cinderella: Ninja Warrior. Cinderella, in most retelling, would always be portrayed as a weak, servant girl who had some luck in finding her true love. More often than not, Cinderella is just a girl who happens to own a pair of weird glass slipper and a fairy godmother who turned pumpkins into a pretty carriage for her so that she could go to the ball and meet her Prince Charming.

But Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan is not your ordinary fairy tale re-telling, in fact, it is a book that would make you laugh gleefully as the story goes. For once, you get to decide what happens to Cinderella…yes, you heard me right, this book is one of those ‘choose your own adventure/ending/story’ kinda book, and I loved it to bits.

I love the ‘magical’ power that the book gave me and for once, I feel pretty much in control of the story flow of a conventional book that I played no role in deciding how the story goes (unless I write it myself, of course).

I give this book a 5 star, simply because it allows me to choose my own way throughout the entire stories.

This book is an ARC. I received this from Baker & Taylor Publishing Group (Silver Dolphin Books) via Netgalley. This book is yet to be released in the market, and only will be available somewhere around April 2011. But I think you can pre-order it from Amazon or Barnes and Noble or any major bookstores near you.

From the back of the book:

In this fast-paced story full of adventure and romance, Cinderella is more than just a servant girl waiting for her prince–she’s a tough, fearless girl who is capable of taking charge of a dangerous situation. Seeking to escape the clutches of her evil stepmother, Cinderella perfects her ninja skills and magic talents in secret, waiting for the day when she can break free and live happily ever after. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Cinderella and decide where she goes next–but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you’ve ever read!

Cleffairy: Off with the puppeteer’s hands! Off with the ventriloquist’s tongue!

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Uncategorized

Sweet As Sin

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I requested the ARC Sweet as Sin by Inez Kelley because I was attracted by the summary that’s written on the book cover. The book is about an author and I thought that I would appreciate such story. I did not regret requesting this book for review because it’s not only romantic and humourous in some ways, but it’s also tantalizing and captivating. The plot was well-developed and I felt as if I was practically reading a foreplay. Well, not quite a foreplay, but the author makes you anticipate what will come next anxiously.

Nice book to read on a rainy day where you need some means of escapism. Highly recommended and I rate this book 4 stars out of 5 stars.

From the back of the book:

John Murphy is tormented by nightmares. A bestselling young-adult author, he writes the ultimate fantasy: stories where good always triumphs. He knows better. His past has shown him the worst in people-and in himself. When he moves next door to the sexy, vibrant Livvy-a woman completely unlike his usual one-night stands-he’s driven to explore every curve of her delicious body.

Pastry chef Livvy knows that giving in to the temptation that is John Murphy won’t lead to anything permanent, but she deserves a passionate summer fling. John discovers she’s as sweet as the confections she bakes while Livvy slowly unravels his secrets. But what will happen when she uncovers them all?

I received this ARC for review from Carina Press via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review for it and I was also not compensated for writing this.

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Book review

Save The Date

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Save The Date by Jenny B. Jones is a very interesting Christian Romance fiction, and I find it rather delightful. The story is about Alex and Lucy who pretended to be engaged. You see, Lucy needed money to save the girls’ home that she’s been running, while Alec needed a pretend fiancee so that he could build a good reputation for himself while he’s campaigning to win the congress.

Things goes well until both of them fell in love with each other. At some point, I thought the story would be too Harlequin-ish, but boy was I wrong. Various messages was interwoven in it. One of it is letting go of the past as well as forgiveness, both on Alex’s and Lucy’s part. And like most Christian fiction, Save The Date also shows us how God makes things right again even when we thought that everything is upside down.

Anyway, I enjoyed reading this book, and I highly recommend this to those who are in need of a good fiction to read. Save The date too will make a fantastic Valentine’s Day gift if you’re looking for the perfect gift to give your loved ones.

From the back of the book:

When Alex and Lucy pick out wedding invitations, they wonder if they can be printed in vanishing ink.

Former NFL star Alex Sinclair is a man who has it all–except the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancée in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn’t quite what he seems, Lucy will find her heart on the line–and maybe even her life. When God asks Alex and Lucy to scrap their playbook and follow his rules, will they finally say, “I do”?

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I received this ARC free from Thomas Nelson Publisher, and I was not required to write a positive review for it. I also did not receive any monetary benefit for writing this review.

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