Cecilia Ahern Books Review & Ebooks Giveaways

As of late, smallkucing and Manglish have been taunting me to the max. One keep tempting me to go to Book Access and get some books for myself to read while another keep tempting me to indulge myself with some ‘ficathon’.

I didn’t go to Book Access to get some books for myself of course, as I’ve been rather busy lately. Even taking a breather seems to be a luxury these days, especially when I am in a frenzy as well.

However, I did manage to find time to go into some ficathon, despite of struggling to write scripts for Script Frenzy so I guess, Manglish’s little campaign is accomplished, after all. 😀 He managed to get me reading some Chic Lit by Cecelia Ahern.

Sounds familiar? Cecelia Ahern is the author of P.S I Love you and many more worth reading books. Most of her books are touching, and she’s one author that I’d love to hate. Her books are very touching, and never fails to make people cry and appreciate life.

Here, I’d like to share her books in ebooks form with all of you. Kindly email  at  admin@cleff.bia.garf.us to request for it. I would try to send to you as soon as I can get back to you. 😀

P.S I Love You

Holly and Gerry had the perfect life. Happily married, living in Dublin close to their friends and family, and with a brilliant social life, they had the world at their feet. Or so they thought. When Gerry dies, Holly is devastated. On the eve of her 30th birthday, the man who was her lover, her best friend, her rock, has left her. But Gerry promised he’d always be there for Holly. And he is: his last bequest to her is The List, a bundle of notes which form a monthly mission for Holly to get her life back on track.

As the notes are gradually opened, and as the year unfolds, Holly is both cheered up and challenged. The man who knows Holly better than anyone sets out to teach her that life goes on. With some help from her friends, and her noisy and loving family, Holly finds herself laughing, crying, singing, dancing — and being braver than ever before. Life is for living, she realizes — but it always helps if there’s an angel watching over you. Charming, heartfelt and funny, this debut novel celebrates life, love and friendship and proves that true love never dies.

Where Rainbows End

From naughty children to rebellious teenagers and mixed-up twenty- and thirty-somethings, Rosie and Alex have stuck by each other through thick and thin, even when Alex moved across the Atlantic to Boston and Rosie fell pregnant as a teenager. Alex supports Rosie through one of the most difficult times of her life — a time when she should be out partying and going to university but is instead changing nappies and coping with a screaming baby.

In return, Rosie is there for Alex when he struggles through his medical internship and copes with a messy divorce. Throughout the ups and downs of each other’s lives, they have remained a constant, a shoulder to cry on, someone to laugh and share their innermost feelings with.But can their friendship survive the years and the miles and, more critically, when they each marry someone else?

If You Could See Me Now ( A Silver Lining)

Elizabeth’s life is an organized mess. The organized part is all due to her own efforts. The mess is entirely due to her sister,Saoirse, whose personal problems leave Elizabeth scrambling to pick up the pieces. One of these pieces is Saoirse’s six-year-old son, Luke. Luke is quiet and contemplative, until the arrival of a new friend, Ivan, turns him into an outgoing, lively kid. And Elizabeth’s life is about to change in wonderful ways she has only dreamed of.

Thanks For The Memories

Joyce Conway leaves hospital after recovering from a terrible accident. Having faced a near-death experience, she is suddenly awakened to the stark reality of her futile marriage, and vows to start afresh — separating from husband Conor and moving back in with her dad. Justin Hitchcock arrives in Dublin to give a guest lecture. Recently divorced and living near his daughter Bea, but far from his Chicago home, he’s lonely and restless. When beautiful doctor Sarah persuades him to give blood, he nonchalantly accepts, hoping he’ll at least get a date with her. Then one rainy evening, Joyce and Justin cross paths in the strangest of circumstances.

The Gift

Everyday Lou Suffern battled with the clock. He always had two places to be at the same time. He always had two things to do at once. When asleep he dreamed. In between dreams, he ran through the events of the day while making plans for the next. When at home with his wife and family, his mind was always someplace else.

On his way into work one early winter morning, Lou meets Gabe, a homeless man sitting outside the office building. Intrigued by him and on discovering that he could also be very useful to have around, Lou gets Gabe a job in the post room.

But soon Lou begins to regret helping Gabe. His very presence unsettles Lou and how does Gabe appear to be in two places at the same time? As Christmas draws closer, Lou starts to understand the value of time. He sees what is truly important in life yet at the same time he learns the harshest lesson of all.

This is a story about people who not unlike parcels, hide secrets. They cover themselves in layers until the right person unwraps them and discovers what’s inside.Sometimes you have to be unraveled in order to find out who you really are. For LouSuffern, that took time

The Book of Tomorrow

Tamara Goodwin has always got everything she’s ever wanted. Born into a family of wealth, she grew up in a mansion with its own private beach, a wardrobe full of designer clothes, a large four poster bed complete with a luxurious bathroom en-suite. She’s always lived in the here and now, never giving a second thought to tomorrow. But then suddenly her dad is gone and life for Tamara and her mother changes forever. Left with a mountain of debt, they have no choice but to sell everything they own and move to the country to live with Tamara’s Uncle and Aunt.

Nestled next to Kilsaney Castle, their gatehouse is a world away from Tamara’s childhood. With her mother shut away with grief, and her aunt busy tending to her, Tamara is lonely and bored and longs to return to Dublin. When a travelling library passes throughKilsaney Demesne, Tamara is intrigued. She needs a distraction. Her eyes rest on a mysterious large leather bound tome locked with a gold clasp and padlock. With some help, Tamara finally manages to open the book. What she discovers within the pages takes her breath away and shakes her world to its core.


Cleffairy: Reading is an adventure. 😀

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Malaysian Men=Virile?

If you’ve been reading enough Harlequin Presents as well as Mills& Boon romance craps lately, you would realize that people in the West actually thought that our men… Malaysian men are virile and romantic, oozing with sex appeal, and Malaysia is an ideal place for an exotic, sexy getaway where passion and romance is absolutely guaranteed.

You know, kisses under the sun. Seduction on a secluded private beach and bittersweet reunion in KLIA and whatnot.

Most of you may not know this, but apart from Italy, Middle East,Greek and Sicily, Malaysia have been quite a favourite setting for many romance books and e-books alike.

I am not quite sure why people in the West thought that Malaysia is an ideal place for a romantic seduction and a place for those who covet happily ever after and passion in and outside of their bedroom, because in truth…Malaysia is quite a conservative country to even begin with.

You kiss on the street, and you’ll either find yourself for  charged for committing a close proximity or you’d be fined for it.

I also don’t understand why they filled their heads with the illusion that Malaysian men are romantic to the max as well. As far as I’m concern… men, Malaysian men in general are not romantic. They have… ahemm… difficulties expressing themselves, and most… are very chauvinistic. Don’t you agree with me, ladies? Malaysian men are like that, are they not?

They’re very reserved in comparison of their Western counterparts, and they tend to take things for granted too. Seduction only came during the courting stage, and not after marriage. They forget birthdays, anniversaries, and cares for nothing but themselves…especially those who came from a very typical Asian family.

More often than not, they claim that action speaks louder than words. I wonder if these men knows that sometimes, the ladies wants to be assured verbally and physically as well?

It is very rare to find men who are passionate and romantic in Malaysia. Gifts and token of appreciation are hard to come by. Unless they want something from the ladies… romance is as good as dead.

I am not quite sure why foreign authors painted Malaysian men as virile as well. In Harlequin Presents, especially, Malaysian men are painted as dark, brooding, handsome and a bomb in bed. Their erections are often described as long, and hard as well as thick, and they put their ladies’ pleasure before theirs when they performed in bed. And I find it rather hilarious that these authors thought that it is all right for PDA in Malaysia.

Some are authors are worst off…they thought Malaysian men, are somewhat orgasm machine. Sometimes, I really do have to laugh at these foreign author’s writing. Pretty exaggerating and far-fetch if you ask me. I wonder if they ever came to Malaysia in the first place, as for what it’s worth, in their mind, Malaysian national food is some exotic satay and kebabs. Don’t they do their homework? Geez! 🙁

Most foreign authors thought that Malaysia itself is an exotic place, full of exotic and erotic people. Full or romantic men, and beautiful, passionate women who are submissive and willing to surrender their heart, body and soul between the sheets.

Harlequin books got me speechless, sometimes. They painted Malaysia so beautiful and liberated. Too beautiful that I feel ashamed that as Malaysian, I did nothing to promote my own country.

Perhaps I should do something about it and start writing some romance crap with Malaysian setting as well? I think at least I would be able to describe things better. Way better…. if I lie to myself and pretend that I am a foreigner, that is.

Cleffairy: Malaysia is beautiful. But the people who makes it goes is not.

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Dear John

Dear John is usually a letter is written to a husband or a lover to inform him that a relationship is over, usually because the author has found another lover.

Dear John Letters are often written out of an inability or unwillingness to inform the man in person about the desire to break off certain relationship. In a reverse situation, in which someone writes to his  wife of lover to break off the relationship, is often referred to as a “Dear Jane letter.”

The origin of this phrase is not exactly known, but it’s commonly believed to be started during the World War II by the Americans. You see, back then, there’s large amount of male soldiers who were stationed oversea during the war, and more often than not, it’s always for a long period of time. Not many women could wait for their husband or lover back then. Most decided to move on with their life with another man instead of just waiting for their men to come back from war.

There are a number of theories on why the name John is used rather than any other. John was a common name in America at the time the term was started. John is also the name used in many other terms that refer to an anonymous man or men, such as ‘John Doe’ or ‘John Smith’.

The phrase That’s all she wrote is believed to have originated from Dear John letters. These letters would contain either the words ‘Dear John’ and abruptly terminate, or only contain the words ‘Dear John, Goodbye.’ The phrase ‘That’s all she wrote’ is used to indicate the end of story or an abrupt end of story, especially when the reader has a desire to know more, but the writer does not want to fulfill that desire.

Don’t be alarmed. I am not here today to write a separation note to my husband. I am not the kind who will walk away from a relationship with just leaving the man a note. If I were to break off a relationship and whatnot, I’ll be sure to resolve the issue face to face. And maybe a kick in the crotch or something. I won’t be satisfied with just a letter, a call or even sms.

I’m not the kind of blogger who writes about movies and entertainment really often. I only do so when I think a book or a movie is really worth reviewing, and so here goes nothing. I’d like to talk about a recently released movie known as ‘ Dear John’, an adaptation from my favourite author, Nicholas Sparks. Yup, it’s from the same feller who wrote The Notebook, Message in the Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Lucky One, The Last Song and many more fantastic, tear-jerking and heart moving love stories.

Like his other famous bestselling works, Dear John is adapted into a movie of the same name.


Dear John is about an angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life, until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah during his summer vacation.

Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who has captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else.

“Dear John,” the letter read…and with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives were changed forever. Returning home, John must come to grips with the fact that Savannah, now married, is still his true love and he face the hardest decision of his life.

Dear John is a good read. For those who wants to read Dear John but couldn’t find it, I have the ebook version of it, and kindly email me at cleffairy@gmail.com to request for it. It would be a pleasure for me to share it with you.

For those who are interested in the movie version of it, however, can watch it  HERE.

Below, is the trailer for Dear John.

On the lighter note…want to break up but don’t know how? Write a Dear John letter. Go HERE and check it out.

Cleffairy: Anyone a believer of a long distance relationship? I am not quite sure I am.

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TWILIGHT SAGA- Movie& Novel Summary

Do away with Antoo Fighters- Amukan Drakulat, and even Harry Potter. Bring me Edward Cullen to feast my eyes upon. Who, says you? Oh… I’m talking about Twilight the movie main character, Edward Cullen, a dashingly handsome immortal vampire who fell for a mortal human girl, Bella Swan.

Twilight is not well advertised in Malaysia, and I am more than sure then when it hit Malaysian cinema on 27th November, six days more late than the actual release, it’ll be censored like hell. Typically Malaysian. Anyway, I don’t always do review on movies unless I am really into the movie in question. And in this case, I’m really into the movie. I have been anticipating the movie for quite some time now since I read the Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer.

Yes, folks, Twilight is adapted from a novel. Stephanie Meyer may not be as well known as J.K. Rowling, but her masterpiece breathe new insight in paranormal romance. In Twilight world, vampires are not the conventional kind, they can mix around with humans and feast on animal blood, and no, sunlight do not kill them or make them explode either. Twilight Saga consist of four books, which is Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. A good read if you want something paranormal but won’t make you scream out of fright. Romantic too.

Here’s some summary on the books for those who are interested. I have e-books version of these, so if you would like a copy of any of these, kindly email me at cleffairy@gmail.com and request for it, I’ll be pleased to send it to you.

Twilight-

Bella Swan’s move to Forks could have been the most boring move she ever made. But when she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella.

New Moon-

Star-crossed lovers Bella and Edward return find themselves facing new obstacles, including a devastating separation, the mysterious appearance of dangerous wolves roaming the forest in Forks, a terrifying threat of revenge from a female vampire, and a deliciously sinister encounter with Italy’s reigning royal family of vampires, the Volturi.

Eclipse-

As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

Breaking Dawn ( my personal favourite)-

Pulled in one direction by her intense passion for Edward Cullen, and in another by her profound connection to Jacob Black, Bella Swan has endured a tumultuous year of temptation, loss, and strife to reach the ultimate turning point. Now that Bella has made her decision, a startling chain of unprecedented events is about to unfold with potentially devastating and unfathomable consequences.

And here comes the movie summary: ( Please note that the movie was released earlier, on 21st November 2008 instead of 12th December 2008)

In Twilight the movie, Bella Swan has always been a little bit different. Never one to run with the crowd, Bella never cared about fitting in with the trendy, plastic girls at her Phoenix, Arizona high school. When her mother remarried and Bella chooses to live with her father in the rainy little town of Forks, Washington, she didn’t expect much of anything to change. But things do change when she meets the mysterious and dazzlingly beautiful Edward Cullen. For Edward is nothing like any boy she’s ever met. He’s nothing like anyone she’s ever met, period. He’s intelligent and witty, and he seems to see straight into her soul.

In no time at all, they are swept up in a passionate and decidedly unorthodox romance – unorthodox because Edward really isn’t like the other boys. He can run faster than a mountain lion. He can stop a moving car with his bare hands. And not to mention climb trees swiftly.

Oh, and he hasn’t aged since 1918. Like all vampires, he’s immortal. That’s right – vampire. But he doesn’t have fangs – that’s just in the movies. And he doesn’t drink human blood, though Edward and his family are unique among vampires in that lifestyle choice.

To Edward, Bella is that thing he has waited 90 years for – a soul mate. But the closer they get, the more Edward must struggle to resist the primal pull of her scent, which could send him into an uncontrollable frenzy. Somehow or other, they will have to manage their unmanageable love.

But when unexpected visitors come to town and realize that there is a human among them Edward must fight to save Bella? A modern, visual, and visceral Romeo and Juliet story of the ultimate forbidden love affair – between vampire and mortal.

If you’re interested in the trailer, you can watch it here:

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1GbukZnl1Y]

TWILIGHT TRAILER

However, if you’re interested in watching the entire movie, cinema version, go here:

TWILIGHT THE MOVIE

I’m a sucker for classical music, so I was pleased that they used the classic song, Clair De Lune by Debussy as part of their movie soundtrack. I’m not a Claude Debussy fan, though. But I think it’s appropriate enough, considering the meaning of the song, which is moonlight. Sufficient enough for a vampire movie, I guess. Perhaps when I’m free, I’ll write something about Clair De Lune.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp9I9gdrcpg]

Presenting to you, ladies and gentlemen, the third movement of Claude Debussy ‘s piano suite bergamasque, Clair De Lune.

On the lighter note, yours truly have a confession to make. I originally anticipate a scene from the novel where Edward plays the lullaby that he composed for Bella. It’s supposed to be a beautiful and soothing melody, and fans all around were hoping that it would be this one. ‘River Flow In You’ by Yiruma. The very same pianist used for Winter Sonata.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJyH-oH_aqk&feature=related]

River Flow In You by Yiruma

However, they came out with this one, Bella’s lullaby by Carter Burwell. To say that I was aghast to see the scene was an understatement. I almost snarl in disappointment with the production’s decision to use this kind of music as a lullaby. It simply does not reflect what’s described in the novel. If you guys could find some time to listen to the music, do tell me what you think about it.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqkgd7roWMM]

Bella’s Lullaby by Carter Burwell

I would recommend you guys to read the novel first, then the movie. Personally, I prefer the novel more than the movie to fully enjoy the story and the character’s development process, but then again, I have hots for hunky, romantic and dangerous guys, so that explains why I anticipate the movie so much.

But if you’re not an avid reader the movie is worth a shot if you want something different. It’s Pg-13, though, not suitable for children.

Cleffairy: When you can live forever, what do you live for?

Continue Reading

TWILIGHT SAGA- Movie& Novel Summary

Do away with Antoo Fighters- Amukan Drakulat, and even Harry Potter. Bring me Edward Cullen to feast my eyes upon. Who, says you? Oh… I’m talking about Twilight the movie main character, Edward Cullen, a dashingly handsome immortal vampire who fell for a mortal human girl, Bella Swan.

Twilight is not well advertised in Malaysia, and I am more than sure then when it hit Malaysian cinema on 27th November, six days more late than the actual release, it’ll be censored like hell. Typically Malaysian. Anyway, I don’t always do review on movies unless I am really into the movie in question. And in this case, I’m really into the movie. I have been anticipating the movie for quite some time now since I read the Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer.

Yes, folks, Twilight is adapted from a novel. Stephanie Meyer may not be as well known as J.K. Rowling, but her masterpiece breathe new insight in paranormal romance. In Twilight world, vampires are not the conventional kind, they can mix around with humans and feast on animal blood, and no, sunlight do not kill them or make them explode either. Twilight Saga consist of four books, which is Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. A good read if you want something paranormal but won’t make you scream out of fright. Romantic too.

Here’s some summary on the books for those who are interested. I have e-books version of these, so if you would like a copy of any of these, kindly email me at cleffairy@gmail.com and request for it, I’ll be pleased to send it to you.

Twilight-

Bella Swan’s move to Forks could have been the most boring move she ever made. But when she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella.

New Moon-

Star-crossed lovers Bella and Edward return find themselves facing new obstacles, including a devastating separation, the mysterious appearance of dangerous wolves roaming the forest in Forks, a terrifying threat of revenge from a female vampire, and a deliciously sinister encounter with Italy’s reigning royal family of vampires, the Volturi.

Eclipse-

As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

Breaking Dawn ( my personal favourite)-

Pulled in one direction by her intense passion for Edward Cullen, and in another by her profound connection to Jacob Black, Bella Swan has endured a tumultuous year of temptation, loss, and strife to reach the ultimate turning point. Now that Bella has made her decision, a startling chain of unprecedented events is about to unfold with potentially devastating and unfathomable consequences.

And here comes the movie summary: ( Please note that the movie was released earlier, on 21st November 2008 instead of 12th December 2008)

In Twilight the movie, Bella Swan has always been a little bit different. Never one to run with the crowd, Bella never cared about fitting in with the trendy, plastic girls at her Phoenix, Arizona high school. When her mother remarried and Bella chooses to live with her father in the rainy little town of Forks, Washington, she didn’t expect much of anything to change. But things do change when she meets the mysterious and dazzlingly beautiful Edward Cullen. For Edward is nothing like any boy she’s ever met. He’s nothing like anyone she’s ever met, period. He’s intelligent and witty, and he seems to see straight into her soul.

In no time at all, they are swept up in a passionate and decidedly unorthodox romance – unorthodox because Edward really isn’t like the other boys. He can run faster than a mountain lion. He can stop a moving car with his bare hands. And not to mention climb trees swiftly.

Oh, and he hasn’t aged since 1918. Like all vampires, he’s immortal. That’s right – vampire. But he doesn’t have fangs – that’s just in the movies. And he doesn’t drink human blood, though Edward and his family are unique among vampires in that lifestyle choice.

To Edward, Bella is that thing he has waited 90 years for – a soul mate. But the closer they get, the more Edward must struggle to resist the primal pull of her scent, which could send him into an uncontrollable frenzy. Somehow or other, they will have to manage their unmanageable love.

But when unexpected visitors come to town and realize that there is a human among them Edward must fight to save Bella? A modern, visual, and visceral Romeo and Juliet story of the ultimate forbidden love affair – between vampire and mortal.

If you’re interested in the trailer, you can watch it here:

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1GbukZnl1Y]

TWILIGHT TRAILER

However, if you’re interested in watching the entire movie, cinema version, go here:

TWILIGHT THE MOVIE

I’m a sucker for classical music, so I was pleased that they used the classic song, Clair De Lune by Debussy as part of their movie soundtrack. I’m not a Claude Debussy fan, though. But I think it’s appropriate enough, considering the meaning of the song, which is moonlight. Sufficient enough for a vampire movie, I guess. Perhaps when I’m free, I’ll write something about Clair De Lune.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp9I9gdrcpg]

Presenting to you, ladies and gentlemen, the third movement of Claude Debussy ‘s piano suite bergamasque, Clair De Lune.

On the lighter note, yours truly have a confession to make. I originally anticipate a scene from the novel where Edward plays the lullaby that he composed for Bella. It’s supposed to be a beautiful and soothing melody, and fans all around were hoping that it would be this one. ‘River Flow In You’ by Yiruma. The very same pianist used for Winter Sonata.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJyH-oH_aqk&feature=related]

River Flow In You by Yiruma

However, they came out with this one, Bella’s lullaby by Carter Burwell. To say that I was aghast to see the scene was an understatement. I almost snarl in disappointment with the production’s decision to use this kind of music as a lullaby. It simply does not reflect what’s described in the novel. If you guys could find some time to listen to the music, do tell me what you think about it.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqkgd7roWMM]

Bella’s Lullaby by Carter Burwell

I would recommend you guys to read the novel first, then the movie. Personally, I prefer the novel more than the movie to fully enjoy the story and the character’s development process, but then again, I have hots for hunky, romantic and dangerous guys, so that explains why I anticipate the movie so much.

But if you’re not an avid reader the movie is worth a shot if you want something different. It’s Pg-13, though, not suitable for children.

Cleffairy: When you can live forever, what do you live for?

Continue Reading