by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 20, 2023 | Book Reviews
Try searching for Ever Langlais online and you will be surprised at how many books she has already written about so many different types of creatures. My comfort zone, though, is with Lycans and werewolves. Defying Pack Law by Eve Langlais is the book that introduced me to her world and will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Imagine a society where the males outnumber the females and polyamory is the norm rather than a “deviant relationship”. Whether the female likes it or not, she is forced to mate with more than one male. Our girl, Dana, was in love with Nathan who from the beginning knew how she felt about polyamory. Initially, he agreed to be her only mate but when push comes to shove, he felt bound to follow the dictates of the elders and would end up betraying her.
In her horror and outrage, Dana leaves and goes into hiding for many years. Nathan, now the Alpha, finds her and truly regrets what he did. Now he is more than ready to be her only mate. Unfortunately, news flash, Dana now says she wants many mates and points at his friends, John and Kody, to be her other two mates.
It’s messed up! Does she really want them as her mates or is her goal just to hurt Nathan?
What I like about this story is that we, the readers, are given an up close and personal peep into how Nathan, John, and Kody feel, too. We know how all three are quite attracted to Dana. We know that Nathan does not want to share. And we know his guilt over the years. At the same time, we see how Dana’s feelings change from resentment and rebellion to actually wanting to be with all of them.
Seriously, though, I think what I like about this book is that Dana is in control of where the relationship would go. In most stories, women do not always have that control.
And this book is just the beginning! There are four books in the series. Thankfully, Defying Pack Law by Eve Langlais is a standalone story so we won’t be left hanging at the end. If this book interests you, you can find it on Goodnovel and at Amazon. My personal preference is Amazon where you can get the book in several formats.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 19, 2023 | Business
Excellence thrives where it is practiced consistently. Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI)—the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country—recently honored three outstanding employees with this year’s Gold Crown Awards. This recognition is awarded to employees for demonstrating professional dedication per PCPPI’s ICARE Values, which stands for Integrity and Innovation, Care and Respect, Empowerment, and Excellence.
The three awardees for this year are (in the photo, from left to right) Faith Marie M. Zacal from PCPPI’s Cagayan De Oro plant, Lucky J. Mallari from the Central Luzon Operations (CLO) and Jona Marie S. Rollan from the Davao manufacturing facility.
PCPPI president and chief executive officer Frederick D. Ong said of the awardees, “Our people remain at the core of what makes us proud to be part of PCPPI. The Gold Crown Awards allow us as one team to acknowledge the exceptional contributions of our employees.”
He adds, “Jona, Lucky, and Faith are among the many brilliant team members who exemplify how true PCPPI Bravehearts are. We look forward to nurturing more inspiring professionals in the future.”
For more information about PCPPI and the organization’s ICARE values, please visit pepsiphilippines.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 18, 2023 | Book Reviews
Compared to other books I’ve read from these authors, Pacey and his Unicorn Professor by Colbie Dunbar and Lorelei M. Hart is more chill. The most hair-raising/stressful thing happened in the first chapter and only Pacey was in it. Their first meeting was admittedly high adrenalin but after that everything was more or less smooth sailing.
The title misled me at first because I had the impression that Pacey was a student and Sable was his professor. It turns out that Sable is a professor in a community college, yes, and is Pacey’s “his anything” by virtue of being his mate. A better title would probably have been Pacey and THE Unicorn Professor. I confess to being a little disappointed only because I thought there would be a little taboo thrown in there to spice things up.
I also felt a little incomplete by some characters being mentioned, like Stallone, for example, and nothing more is said about him except “family friend”. Up to the end Sable never introduced him to Pacey. We also never met Sable’s brother or found out his name. Bowell is a shifter midwife but aside from the initial checkup, he had no part in the birthing, so what was he “midwifing”?
According to https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au: A midwife is a health professional trained to support and care for women during pregnancy, labor, and birth. They help you to stay healthy during pregnancy and, if no complications arise, to give birth with little intervention. Midwives also care for you and your baby in the first few weeks following the birth.
Therefore, should Bowell be even called a midwife? Why not just call him a healer? This also brings to mind Stedman, the bear shifter who, besides helping Pacey clean his house in anticipation of his return, is also a healer, or I guess an apothecary. So confusing.
That aside, it’s a HEA story so if light reading is what you are after then Pacey and his Unicorn Professor by Colbie Dunbar and Lorelei M. Hart is a good book to get into. It’s on Amazon for $3.99 or free with Kindle Unlimited. If you are into paperbacks, that is available, too!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 18, 2023 | Book Reviews
The No-Judgment Zone by Ellie K. Wilde is one of the most enjoyable books I have read (so far) in 2023. It tells the story of Jenna, a pink-haired sex goddess, and Finn, an irresistible serial dater. Both are players and fully embrace the concept of one-night stands. In their words … one night, no repeats.
So can you imagine what happens when they meet for the first time and things don’t pan out as expected? Translation: that one magical night never happened. Fast-forward to a year later and Jenna is back for the summer to attend her sister’s wedding. Jenna goes to Finn’s place with the intention of hooking up but instead ends up becoming his roommate for the summer.
Finn has been in a funk for some time and didn’t know why. The moment he saw Jenna again he realized what it was. There she was … the one that got away. Right then and there he knew that one night with her wouldn’t be enough so instead of giving in to temptation he impulsively offered his place for her to stay in, as roommates.
Friendzoned! What torture these two have set themselves up for!
The story goes on to show us their budding friendship amid sexual tension. Does it count as a slow burn when everyone knows from the get-go that they are meant to be? Cute nicknames, forehead kisses, and cuddle o’clock? Come on! Crush, what crush? It’s destiny!
And I haven’t even mentioned the super hot “not sex” scenes. fans self I swear, The No-Judgment Zone by Ellie K. Wilde is a must-read. It took me longer to read this book, not because it is long, but because I would go back to savor scenes. You can find this book on Amazon for $3.99 and free with a Kindle Unlimited account.
Highly recommended! Satisfaction guaranteed.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 18, 2023 | Art and Science
One of the galleries that will be participating in Art in the Park 2023 is Art Cube Gallery featuring Isko Andrade for special exhibits. For this year’s art fair, 60 exhibit booths representing galleries, art collectives, independent art spaces, and student groups will showcase and sell an assortment of exceptional pieces by seasoned and rising artists.
Looking to build your art collection on a budget? Don’t miss this chance as the annual Art in the Park, famed for being the most anticipated affordable art fair in the country, returns outdoors on March 19, at Jaime Velazquez Park, Makati City to mark its 17th year of celebrating and championing Filipino artistry.
The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) once again teamed up with Art in the Park 2023 to offer flexible payment options for fairgoers with BPI Cards when they shop for art at the exhibit-sale, which runs for one whole day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“BPI has been supporting Art in the Park for continuously uplifting the vibrant Filipino art scene and for providing a platform for our valuable contributors of art whose works truly merit more support and respect. It also makes art accessible to Filipinos, helping them learn more about art and Filipino artists,” said Jenny Lacerna, BPI Product and Sales Head for Unsecured Lending and Cards.
For this year’s edition, 60 exhibit booths representing galleries, art collectives, independent art spaces, and student groups will be showcasing and selling an assortment of exceptional pieces by seasoned and rising artists.
One of the galleries that will be participating in Art Cube Gallery featuring Isko Andrade for special exhibits.
“Art Cube Gallery has been a backbone of the Philippine contemporary art scene since it was established in 2012 for helping Filipino artists get their well-deserved spotlight,” said Lacerna.
The said Gallery provides a platform for talented young artists to showcase their works before an extensive roster of art collectors, as well as help promote the careers of seasoned artists by giving art aficionados broad access to their work in international art exhibitions. The gallery has so far mounted over 100 art exhibitions here and abroad involving award-winning and seasoned artists, as well as promising young painters and sculptors.
Francis Eugene E. Andrade, also known as Isko Andrade, is a young artist based in Bulacan who has been known for sharing his stories through his artworks that evoke a sense of nostalgia. He received several awards and citations such as Shell National Student Art Competition and Metrobank Art Design Excellence Competition. He is a graduate of fine arts with a major in visual communication at Bulacan State University.
For his show titled Intersections II, Andrade uses knots as his art subject to depict his own impression of ‘persevering’ by utilizing oil paint on canvas.
Lacerna said art as an asset remains an auspicious investment as it tends to hold its value over time in contrast with other asset classes whose value has the propensity to decline sharply when the market crashes.
“What’s really enticing about collecting and investing in art is that aside from having a potentially lucrative return in the long-term, they can also make stunning display pieces at home,” she said.
BPI Cardholders can enjoy an exclusive Real 0% Special Installment Plan for up to 6 months and buy now and pay 3 months later using their BPI credit cards.
Organized by Philippine Art Events, Inc. and supported by BPI, Art in the Park will continue to benefit the Museum Foundation of the Philippines in support of its projects and programs for the National Museum of the Philippines and its network.
For more information about Art in the Park and BPI’s special offers, follow www.facebook.com/bpi and www.facebook/artinthepark on Facebook, or visit www.bpi.com.ph/ and www.artinthepark.ph.
Compared to other books I’ve read from these authors, Pacey and his Unicorn Professor by Colbie Dunbar and Lorelei M. Hart is more chill. The most hair-raising/stressful thing happened in the first chapter and only Pacey was in it. Their first meeting was admittedly high adrenalin but after that everything was more or less smooth sailing.
The No-Judgment Zone by 
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