For the Love of Writing Party

For the Love of Writing Party

When: Dec. 12, 2008 7 to 9pm (Friday)
Where: U-View At Fullybooked Fort, High Street, Taguig

What to expect:

• Cocktails
• Talks
• Awarding of the NaNoWriMo Challenge winners in the Philipines
• Raffle
• Story Telling

Entrance is Free!
Sponsored by Talecraft, 3HM-Publishing, BabayMoon Lifestyle

Book Trailers and Feehan

I just noticed something. Feehan loves people who are awake in the night and men who are both lovers and predators. They always have to be described as predators, more animal than man.

And I only like three trailers from all her trailers. Dark Possession, Dark Destiny and Safe Harbor. All the others suck! They have awful fight scenes and girls who look older than the men!

I got them...

Finally.

I got them. It was purely by chance that they were available on the week of the Book Fair, which means 20% off.

I got Dark Curse, hard bound edition. Seems they doen't want to release paperbacks for the first print anymore. So, heck! I want the Carpathian male and I'm reading him fast. Nicolas' Book is very different from Christine Feehan's other books. It has chanting and science. It's worth the wait and I'm clmaoring for more.

Turbulent Sea is the sixth book in the Drake Sisters Series also by C. Feehan. Rockstar Joley hate the tabloid. They make up stories left and right. But that doesn't stop her from doing what she likes: performing. She loves the music and she has the gift of songs. Missing persons and murder turn up at every corner but that doesn't deter Joley Drake. Not since she has a bodyguard ready to protect her willingly or not.

Books This Year

Book Fair came and gone this year. Yes, I was a little disappointed. I was expecting more. Or at least, the same as last year but then, there were fewer stalls and the big stalls were cut in half this year.
But that, doesn't mean, I went without buying. hehehe. Can't resist books.
Here are some I got from the fair.

Set of Black Dagger Brtherhood books. 295, each excpet Lover Unbound which is 395. Each at 20% off at National Bookstore.
Turbulent Sea - 299 at 20% off
Dark Curse 975 - 20% off
Fangs for the Memories - 299 at 20% off
Mt Immortal Highlander - 299 at 20% off
Undead and Unreturnable - 315 = got it at 198.
Undead and Unappreaciated - 315 = got it at 198
The Treasured Ones -100 at A Diff Bookstore
The best buy I had was this 1.5 feet, three inch thick Biblica, The Bible Atlas. Fully colored, pictures at ever page. 1495 at 20% off.I made National Bookstore rich this book fair.

I heard last year, the rent for a space was about 50,+++.00 no wonder, not much wants to come back this year. It's expensive and people expect you to have cheap books.

I hope it would be better next year.

Turbulent Sea

Feehan's New Book on the Drake Sisters.

Glad it came out in the bookfair! I bought it kaagad!

The sixth sister is doomed to fall in love... Joley Drake knew the inevitable is coming. It is said that the seventh sister will give birth to seven daughters. That has been an unbroken tradition. These seven sisters will have strange power like no other. The eldest will fall in love first then the rest will follow accordingly. In Safe Harbor (Book5) Hannah Drake, Model extraordinaire, marries their childhood friend Jonas Harrington but not before an adventure and lots of near-death experiences. It was Ilya Prakenski, a supposed Russian Mobster who helped the Drakes. He has strange powers of his own.

He may not collect on the Drakes but he has something he must collect from Joley, her heart! For nights, they talk in their heads telepathically, soothing Joley, understanding the world and their differences. Mishaps happen and Ilya posts himself as Joley bodyguard.

Its an explosion of powers as Ilya was the fate seventh sone of the seventh son and Joley is marked as his destined.

Worth the wait! Gotta have more!

The suspense is killing me! Elle Drake is missing and she is about to have more trouble than Joley!

Next to Safe Harbor, I love this book! This series is a must-collect.

The Mtv of Turbulent Sea. (from www.christinefeehan.com)

Book Fair Day 1

Book Fair this year is in SMX.

Smaller venue compared to World Trade but it was ok. My problem was, fewer book sellers this year. Powerbooks and National Bookstore booths were comparatively small. As in half the size of last year! Incomplete books too.

Let's see tomorrow if maybe they would put out more books. The spaces are smaller and Stephenie Meyer and Harry Potter Books dominate the area. There are very few cheap books or Sale Piles. :-(

Hello... Nicolas

Finally, Dark Curse by Christine Feehan was out this week. Bought one yesterday and can't put it down. (Only now since I wanted to blog.)

Nicolas De La Cruz, he is a different man. We have been introduced in Dark Secret but I never really knew his personality. That's because he didn't have any then. Now, he has because he just found his lifemate. Nicolas is the middle child of 5 brothers. He believes he is traditional just like Manolito (Dark Possession). He also believes he is sexual. Perhaps a bit like Rafael (Dark Curse) since he told Rafael to just do it with Colby, convert her and get over with it. "Her virginity belonged to you!"

But when he met Lara, his lifemate, he wanted to be all the man that he is. But nobody told Nicolas that keeping a lifemate was so overwhelming. Everything went flying out the window when he can't think of anything but to please her. He was never a gentleman but now he kept apologizing to Lara every turn.

As for the rest of the Carpathian Race, there is danger. The Dark Mage Xavier is on the loose and is carrying out his plot to destroy the Carpathians. He has introduced something tot he mineral rich soils, parasites. The target: women and children of the race.

Will Lara and the Carpathains save the race?

I don't know yet. I haven't finished the book.

Oh! Turbulent Sea is out in National Bookstore Just Today!

Dark Curse

Dark Curse by Christine Feehan is out but not yet in this country.
This sucks! I wish they had the same release dates.

I found the Book Trailer.
I DO NOT like thier choice of actor for Nicholas. He has not an ounce of sexy SOuth American with Old World Elegance here.

Lover Enshrined

A Mansion full of emotional vampires!

The sixth book for JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood Series.

Phury has accepted to be Primale. Meaning: He has to ensure the race by impregnating 40 females form the Scribe Virgin's Chosen. Unfortunately, he's falling in love with one of them and he. Throughout the book, he battled drug and alcohol addiction and a strange inner voice pulling him to destruction.
In the mean time, the other brotherhood members have their own battles to fight. The Glymera is being massacred, Wrath is having problems ruling, Zsadist in fearful of Bella's pregnancy and John Mathews is not comfortable in his transition. Outside of the brotherhood, things are also chaotic. Rhevenge is being blackmailed. Haver's Clinic is hit by the Lessening Society.
Will they all pull through?

Who would have known emotional vampires could be fun and romantic? The main characters are given depth and each one is tested. Unfortunately, not all characters are featured. I felt there wasn't much on Butch, Vishious and Rhage. Guess, these three didn't have that much of an impact on Phury as Wrath, Zsadist and Rhevenge.
John's story is very much part of the problem. His friends are there to protect him and he is there for them. Slowly he grows up emotionally but it is in steps.
Ward's Series is a must collect. It's not-your-usual vampire series.

Waitng For Feehan

Today, I was in FullyBooked. No book yet. Christine Feehan's Turbulent Sea is not yet out in this country. Maybe August they said.
Isn't it August yet?
Can't wait to get her new Carpathian Book, Dark Curse. But it's still on September. But I think it's coming a month later here.

.....still waiting

Dark Symphony

Dark Symphony is one of my favorite books. It is a Carpathian Book by C. Feehan.
Antonietta Scarletti is a rich heiress but wealthy in her own right. She is a pianist and composer. Whatever businesses she touches, turns to gold. One thing though, she is lonely. The people in her life want only her money including her family.
There is murder, conspiracy and scandal in every step of a Scarletti life but she has to over come it.
For one thing, she is blind.
Another thing, she is psychic.
Not a bad combination.
Just Mix Byron Justicano into the equation.
Byron Justiccano is a Carpathian Artisan turned Hunter. The moment he heard Antonietta's Music, he vowed to court her and make her his lifemate. Now, to be able to keep her and protect her, he must face the same intrigues that plagues the Scarletti.

Saw the Book trailer. Here is it.



My personal comment: Get a real Pallazzo. Her music room is separate and it connects to Antonietta's bedroom. This music room is just a piano under the stairs!!!
Another thing is, GET A FASHION CONSULTANT! Hello! She is a rich heiress, designer clothes and all. He's Carpathian with a good body. Get some slim fits or flat fronts. Get a CRISPY shirt!

Girl, you need make-up. This is a shoot. A bit of fake-ness, needs dramatic eyes, lips and put a bit of blush. Get a hair dresser too. Your hair looks like Morticia Adam's wig.

Dancing, making out? This trailer needs more intrigue. The threat needs to be deadlier than just a the camera angles.

Dark Possession was a good trailer. Dark Destiny too. I liked how that was narrated while the action was taking place. I didn't like any of the rest.

Dirk And Steele

I began reading a new series of books by a rising new author of Paranormal Romances. Although I feel she has more paranormal than romance, I do enjoy her stories.
This series circles around a detective agency named Dirk & Steele. It is no ordinary detective agency. All the members here possess some unique ability like telekinesis or they might be shape-shifters.

"Tiger's Eye"

All Dela wants is a vacation, but when she buys an odd little box from a Beijing market, she finds much more than that — she gets a djini: a shape-shifter, a warrior, the last of his kind. Hari has been used and abused for millennia, but upon his release from the riddle box, he sees his new mistress is different. In Dela’s eyes he finds hidden power. If only he dares protect, where before he has savaged; love, where before he has known hate. For Dela, he will dare all.

Shape shifters are introduced in this book. Hari is aTiger and is cursed as a djini. His got lucky that weapons expert Delila or Dela is the one to open his box. Dela's Aunt is head of the NY office of Dirk & Steele. Her powers are wielding metals. This first book grip you to read the rest of the series.

"Shadow Touch"

Elena Baxter can work miracles with her fingers. She can coax bones to knit, flesh to heal. She can mend the soul. She has been doing such work for almost all of her twenty-eight years. That is why she will be taken. But salvation awaits. it exists in a form least expected: a dream of a face, a brush of a mind, the hint of a kiss, and finally, at long last, a shadow touch.

One of Dirk & Steele agents, Artur Loginov is missing. He and others with talents are taken by a rival organization who also have agents with talents. He meets Elena who is a healer. They also rescue other shape shifters. This book is not one of my faves.

"The Red Heart Of Jade"

When grisly murders bring ex-cop and clairvoyant, Dean Campbell, to Taiwan, he finds a shocking truth -- and a woman he thought long dead. What follows is an adventure far more deadly than any that has been foreseen, a threat heralding immortal evil.

I first thought it was long and dragging because the stories are jumping from one thing to another. Mummies, arsonists, Taiwanese Super Stars, Red Jades, then dragons. What ties it all up? What does Dean and Miri have to do with all these?
Then the ending is a killer! The Jades are like books. They are passed from generation to generation and gets reborn into people's hearts. These Jades are actually like the book of Death. They can unleash their powers to mankind. But the maker of the book made a precaution that nobody can use it on its own. He chopped it in half and put it in one girl and one boy. For some reason, every generation, they will be born lovers.

"A Dream of Stone and Shadows"

There are those who do terrible things in this world, and those who simply watch. Charlie would do neither. Imprisoned, his only release is through his own destruction — or through Aggie Durand. Sweet as a kiss or a rescued child, she is the one dream he does not dare desire. As an agent of Dirk & Steele, she could be his salvation. Today, his dream is waking.

What, do you ask, is Charlie? He's a Gargoyle. Strange name for a gargoyle right? He can't really die. when he does, he lingers as shadow until he heals. In his shadowed state, he learns the plight of a little girl who is hidden in a basement and is used in a kiddy porn. He looks for a warrior who can do what he can't. He finds Aggie.
I like the story. Aggie is strong and like Dela, she likes to annoy Roland Dirk. Charlie is actually a modern Gargoyle. He doesn't stay ancient. he keeps up with the times. I love how Aggie saves him and his brothers.

To see more of Liu's books:
http://www.marjoriemliu.com/

A Man of Romance

Meet Stefan Andreas Schwarze. This 6'3 gym buff of German Descent is a model for Romance.

He's modeled from Regency rakes, cowboy daddies, vikings warriors, highland lords and vampires. Stefan stars in over a hundred Romance Covers from Harlequin Intrigue, Silhouette to Berkley. Yup, pretty flexible look right?

I think my favorite look for him is one with where he's in a suit. He looks powerful and regal in a suit. I wouldn't mind him dressed up a Regency Lord!

Picture from Stefan's site.
http://www.stefanas.com/romance/gallery/gallery_index.htm

100 Books in 25 years

Two years ago, I picked up a book in BookSale Greenhills entitled Wind Walker. I wanted to read something, anything interesting. I was currently reading Young Adults and Fantasy. Wind Walker was a big step. It was Romance, History, Action and Adventure all in one. I found it funny, warm and romantic.

It had appeal. Weeks later, at another Booksale tour, I found Silver Wing. now, I have over three dozen Cassie Edwards Books.

I began to understand her style. I did some research and found out that she focused on Native American Romances. She has three non-NAm but still in the Historical Romance category.

Some may find the Edwards Style redundant. There must always a strong-willed Caucasian girl and a Native American Chieftain (or son of the Chieftain). It's love at first sight. The conflict comes outside the relationship. It can be the father of the girl, the ex-suitor, the towns people or nature. They pull through it and ends up in a wedding or if the wed early on in the story, a child.
The chieftain's Archetype is always a Gentleman Savage. He is viewed by society as a savage, uneducated heathen but he is actually more chivalrous than the people who view him. The heroine is strong in will but weak in body. She usually falls under tomboy or ingenue. Both characters are internally good. They love each other and just can't stop kissing. (Yup, Romance demands it!) Yes, some find it mushy but Edwards adds history and Native American culture into the story. Each story actually has its own flavor.

After publishing a Historical Romance book, her publisher asked her to write Native American Romance. Since then, she concentrated on various tribes, researching the background, customs and history. After publishing her first few American Indian Books, Edwards' grandfather told her that she had a full-blooded Cheyenne Grandmother.

Savage Skies, released in August 2007, is her 100th book. What I admire about Edwards is that she started writing at age 45. Goes to show that age isn't a barrier in writing. After 25 years of writing, she still holds her audience captivated.

Black Dagger Brotherhood

My hand at Men's Fashion in a FanArt.

Contact

Bombshell! Harlequins Sub-genre for amazing females who are smart, witty, independent and needs a whole lot of lovin'

In contact, our heroine thinks she may or may not be psychic. She is secretly a police informant masquerading as "Madame Cassandra."

Little does she know that there is something deeper than being psychic in her life.

She is actually a genetically modified person with enhanced senses making her seem psychic. Now, psychics are being targeted in new Orleans and she has to trust herself and her powers to do it.

A little help from the other side goes a long way.

Very intriguing book. I like it.

Your usual mix of skeptics and psychics and a lot of suspense.

Silent Weapon

This is a very interesting read I had. It's by Debra Webb. i got it from Booksale (as usual) and it turns out pretty good.

The main character of the story got deaf at age 27. Her Fiance walked out of her and the school where she worked for gave her a pension and asked her to leave.

What a life! So she decides to get one. She studied sign language and lip reading and got herself a job at the police as a file clerk for cold cases. Some of the cases, she actually thought she could solve and so she started being an amateur sleuth.

Impressed by her abilities, the police chief asked her to be an undercover agent. Nobody would suspect a deaf cleaning lady, right?

In the house of the richest criminal in town, she had to watch her own back and her own heart.

When she thought nobody would like her anymore because she's deaf, she finds herself in a sort of love triangle between the detective she works with and the body guard of Mr. Criminal.

I actually like the way she wanted to be independent. What ticks me is how people treats her like an invalid. Her fiance, the school, the detective at first, and the people she works with. this makes her more than ever determined to prove herself as a Silent Weapon.

Lone Rider Bodyguard

My newest set of reads are the old thin paperbacks of Harlequin Mills & Boon. I bought three. They were pretty inexpensive in Booksale. I thought to see these mass market reads.

I just finished Harper Allen's Lone Rider Bodyguard(2004). Cowboyish, modern and set in the desserts of New Mexico.
It's an ok read. Not bad. i was expecting something cheezy. Yeah, the hero of the story is too pumped-up full of male ego. He becomes a hero 4 times and keeps denying it. He has an aversion to marriage and had a bad boy past. The girl is the sweet, country, church-raised girl that can't take the bed without marriage.
Intriguing. three out of five stars on my ratings. It's a light read.

The Funeral Planner

Met the Wedding Planner?

Well...

Meet the Funeral Planner!

Lyn Isenberg's novel about life, death and business ethics is a must!

I love the book. Too morbid for your taste? it is not actually about Funerals. it is about handling griefs and ethics in business that makes you a worthwhile human being.

Meet Maddy. She's a small town girl in Michigan trying to be the best entrepreneur in L.A. He dreams keep turning to dust as a man named Derrick Rogers keep stealing every idea she has. She attends the funeral of her best friend, Tara and discovers the experience of a common place to grieve and celebrate life. From there, Lights Out Enterprises was born, a pre-need funeral planning for customized tribute needs. Her friends and family support her and business was going great until once again, Derrick Rogers steals the idea and sells it three times cheaper in the market.

Devastated, she is ordered by her charming investor to take a break and find the meaning of grief and what a true tribute is.

Her friends give her a mock funeral and from there, the journey has nowhere else to go but up.

It shows Friends and family must be pillars of support if not financially, morally. They teach you the ethics in business and perseverance will definitely pay. Even if you feel business goes nowhere and people keep stealing your ideas and you have no way of protecting yourself, honesty and clean services are all it takes to keep you moving forward.

Even the death were there to support Maddy!

Carpathian FanArt in my DeviantArt

Carpathian Fan Art
Christine Feehan's Dark Series
Carpathians are a race of immortal beings who have the power to control elements. They live during the night and must feed on blood in order to survive. When they give in to the dark side and loose their souls, they become Vampires.
Francesca Del Ponce-Daratrazanoff. Lifemate of Gabrielle Daratrazanoff. A healer and ancient in her own right. Dark Legend
Syndil and Barrack. From the band of lost children saved by Darius. Dark Challenge and Dark Fire

Riordan De La Cruz. Lifemate of Juliette Sangria. Dark Hunger, Hot Blooded.
Tempest Trine- Daratrazanoff. Lifemate of Darius Daratrazanoff. Dark Fire

http://ictuarium.deviantart.com/gallery/