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.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 15, 2023 | Book Reviews
Reading Power Drilled by Stephanie Brother was a surreal experience for me because it felt like I was reading my story. No, it isn’t because I’ve ever been with triplets (I wish!) but mainly because the female lead character and I have the same name. This made it easier for me to slip into her skin and be Penny as I was reading. Yes, I am embracing it!
The first scene in the book had me falling off my chair and my jaw hitting the floor in amazement. Way to grab our attention, Stephanie! And, yes, I get why her drawing of Jackson focused on a part of his anatomy she wouldn’t normally see in a man, lol!
That moment when I (I mean, Penny) meet the triplets together I think my heart was trying to pound out of my chest. My face was flushed and I was breathless just imagining hotness times three!
Thinking about that jerk, Jeff (the ex), who had the temerity to not only become my cousin’s boyfriend but to attend the wedding as her date makes my blood boil. Good thing I have three good men who were willing to step up to the plate and be my fake boyfriend. Singular, yes. With all the work that needs to be done to meet their deadline, asking one of them to spend so much time with me at the wedding events is too much! But having 3 identical men pretending to be 1 man is perfect.
Reid, Jackson, and Hunter are just wonderful and perfect! Just like my namesake, I would not be able to choose between them. And, really, why choose at all? If reverse harems and triplet romance is your thing, then you should really check out Power Drilled by Stephanie Brother on Amazon. It’s $2.99 if you want to purchase it but with a Kindle Unlimited account, it is free!
These gentlemen made me feel so loved. Yup, still channeling the FMC.
You can check out the bonus content of Power Drilled by Stephanie Brother here. Power Drilled is book 8 of the Roommates series
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 14, 2023 | Advocacy
“What makes you wake up early in the morning?” asks veterinarian Dr. Nielsen Donato while strolling through his animal sanctuary. “It’s not work. It’s something that you’re excited about.”
When people think of veterinarians, they usually think of them tending to household pets such as cats and dogs. But Doc Nielsen isn’t a regular vet. He’s the managing partner and chief surgeon at Vets In Practice (VIP), which caters to not-your-usual pets, and he also has a background in Avian and Exotic Medicine.
But what makes him so special is his unbridled care for virtually any kind of animal, be it crawling, flying, galloping, or slithering.
Doc Nielsen’s passion started when he was around three years old. One of his favorite childhood memories was being excited about going to church just so he could see the yellow chicks and ducklings being sold by vendors outside.
Today, Doc Nielsen helps run the Laguna Wildlife Park & Rescue Center, which sits within his family’s property in Pansol. This non-profit organization houses around 100 species of farm animals and wildlife, including domestic and neglected pets, as well as exotic animals that were rescued from illegal sellers and dangerous living conditions. The wildlife park has everything from chickens and goats to monkeys and a serval cat, which he tends with the help of his staff. It’s also backed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which assists in acquiring and transporting animals to the park.
The veterinarian calls the park his “happy place,” which he visits as early as 5 am to see all of the animals and listen to the different sounds that envelop the whole park. “When I’m walking here in the morning or afternoon, it relaxes me. Nalilimutan ko yung mga stress, that’s why I call it my ‘haven,’” says Doc Nielsen.
Compassion project
“We support the animals with our own resources,” Doc Nielsen says as he shows the many enclosures in the park that the animals call home. He also provides them with nutritious food and medicine to keep them healthy while they’re living in the park.
Feeding time: Violet, a rescued tortoise, snacks on papaya.
He doesn’t do this alone. Apart from the staff he works with, Doc Nielsen’s family also helps. His kids, Cedric and Nina, are studying veterinary medicine, so they’re well on their way to following in their dad’s footsteps.
Giving animals a second chance
While giving a tour of the park, Doc Nielsen stops to feed and pet the animals he passes by. One of them is a bearcat (binturong), a nocturnal mammal with cat-like features that’s endemic to Palawan. Doc Nielsen explains that the bearcats were transported to the park with the help of DENR, and they are raised until they’re ready to be released back into the wild.
“I promised that if I ever breed any endemic wildlife animal in the park, my goal is to help repopulate their species and bring them back to their natural habitat,” he says. He also takes time to assess animals who might need medical attention and treat them right away to prevent infections.
Doc Nielsen demonstrates how to bathe a Bayawak, with his resident monitor lizard, Bruce.
It’s not always easy for Doc Nielsen to let go of animals, especially those that have been used to being around humans. Many of the monkeys, for example, lived in crowded areas and were treated as pets in their past lives. Releasing them back into the wild would be a safety risk for them because a troop of wild monkeys might hurt them.
This is why he and his staff ensure that animals like these get the care they need so they can live long and healthy lives. The wildlife sanctuary is their safe haven until they are ready to be released in a protected space.
On full display: Drake the Peacock struts around his pen.
Whether it’s at his clinic in the city or the wildlife park in Laguna, Doc Nielsen is always ready to offer his expertise and care to all types of species, no matter how scary they may seem.
“I always dreamed of being someone like [British veterinary surgeon] James Harriot. I’ve always wanted to treat dogs and cats, and farm animals as big as horses, goats, and sheep,” he said. “There weren’t exotic animals to treat yet [when I was just starting out.] Now, I’m lucky because I get to treat more exotic animals, as well as farm animals, in my clinic and the park.”
Dr. Nielsen Donato in his wildlife sanctuary in Laguna: “I’m lucky because I get to treat more exotic animals, as well as farm animals, in my clinic and the park.”
The No-Judgment Zone by 
Reading Power Drilled by Stephanie Brother was a surreal experience for me because it felt like I was reading my story. No, it isn’t because I’ve ever been with triplets (I wish!) but mainly because the female lead character and I have the same name. This made it easier for me to slip into her skin and be Penny as I was reading. Yes, I am embracing it!
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